Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson kicked off his first City Council meeting with a dig at Fox News’ recent coverage of his incoming administration’s progressive platform.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune.Mayor Brandon Johnson applauds Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, for his service during a City Council meeting, May 24, 2023, at City Hall.
in advance and they were misled about the purpose of the interview, which they thought was about gun violence only.Johnson’s joke was an acknowledgement of the negative reputation he holds among conservative media regarding his platform of racial justice and taxing the rich. The remark drew laughs from aldermen present and highlighted the attempts at humor that have been a hallmark of the affable mayor’s political style.
But Johnson quickly undid the plan, stripping Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handpicked Finance Committee chairman Scott Waguespack of that role and giving it to Ald. Pat Dowell, a key supporter who served as Budget chair under the previous administration. Johnson’s plan also installed another close ally, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, as chair of the powerful Zoning Committee and the mayor’s floor leader, while other democratic socialists such as Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Ald.
, scolded Johnson for not rewarding Council members based on seniority, but his colleague, Johnson ally Ald. Andre Vasquez, noted that under the old guard, committees didn’t meet for long stretches despite having a budget.“I appreciate the value of seniority. I also appreciate the value of labor,” Vasquez said.
That same ex-alderman, who has pleaded not guilty, ruffled Lightfoot four years ago during her first City Council meeting. The day was largely uncontroversial until Burke stood up to question whether the rules were inappropriately written because they weren’t gender neutral.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
23 Shot During Brandon Johnson's First Weekend as Chicago MayorAt least 23 people were shot, one of them fatally, during Brandon Johnson’s (D) first weekend as Chicago Mayor.
Read more »
Latino Communities Look Ahead to Chicago Under Mayor Brandon JohnsonAs Mayor Brandon Johnson closes out his first week in office, Chicagoans are watching closely. In the city’s Latino communities, public safety, the cost of living, job opportunities, schools and environmental justice are at the top of the long list of issues people are hoping to see the new mayor address.
Read more »
Mayor Brandon Johnson forges compromise to expand outdoor dining in ChicagoMayor Brandon Johnson is breathing new life into Lori Lightfoot's stalled plan to make the city's pandemic-era outdoor dining program permanent.
Read more »
Chicago college eyed by Brandon Johnson as shelter for 400 migrant familiesFour hundred asylum seekers could be housed at Wilbur Wright College starting June 1 — and remain on the Northwest Side campus until Aug. 1 — to minimize the need for migrant families to sleep on the floors of Chicago police stations, a top mayoral aide said Friday.
Read more »
Chicago trio French Police play darker and tour bigger - Chicago ReaderThey’re nervous about taking on larger venues and new cities, but they also feel a lot of pride in the hard work they’ve put in. frenchpolicia | ✍️ Jocelyn Martinez Rosales
Read more »
Mayor Johnson speaks at UIC social justice forumMayor Brandon Johnson spoke Sunday at the University of Illinois at Chicago, joining the university's social justice initiative for its portal project public forum, 'Freedom Dreams and Chicago Futures.'
Read more »