Brandon Johnson: Advocate of Progress and Chicago’s Newest Mayor​

Brandon Johnson has dedicated his life to education, community organizing, and public service, which makes him a worthy candidate for Chicago’s 57th mayor. He was sworn in on May 15, 2023. Johnson has come a long way from a public school teacher to a city leader, which shows his willingness to accept all challenges and work to meet the city’s growth aspirations.

Early Life and Education

Johnson was born on March 27, 1976, and has nine siblings. He was brought up in a family that valued hard work, faith, and community service. His father was a pastor, which taught him the importance of serving the community. He attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Career as an Educator

His first job was as a public school teacher. He taught at Jenner Academy in Cabrini-Green and Westinghouse College Prep in West Side Chicago. Being a teacher, he experienced the horrendous impacts of school closures, unemployment, and gun violence on children and their communities. These daunting experiences motivated him to bring about fundamental changes to education and community services.

Union Leadership and Advocacy

Johnson left the classroom to work as an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). While there, he strongly advocated for public school funding, affordable housing, and increased access to mental healthcare.

He emphasizes his concern for teachers and students by laboring with workers and their teachers through negotiations.

Political Career

Johnson won a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in the 2018 elections for the 1st district. He advanced a progressive agenda that included the expansion of the public health sector, economic growth, and reforming the criminal justice system. Using this experience at the county level, he declared that he would run for the Mayor of Chicago in 2023. With a campaign based on equity, investment, justice, and attention to neglected areas, he triumphed in a close runoff against Paul Vallas. His election made him the fourth African American mayor of Chicago and the second from the city’s western side.

Mayoral Initiatives and Policies

Since taking office, Johnson has outlined his policy, promising to promote a progressive strategy to solve Chicago’s tremendous inequities. Some of the policies are:

Economic Equity:

• Johnson spearheaded the “One Fair Wage” measure to abolish the subminimum wage for tipped employees by July 1, 2028.

Affordable Housing:

• Johnson Sponsored the “Bring Chicago Home” measure to increase the tax on real estate transfer of properties sold above one million dollars to help fund affordable housing and housing for people experiencing homelessness.
• Even though Johnson’s solutions to the housing crisis encountered problems after the March 2024 referendum failed, he is still working towards an answer.

Public Safety and Community Investment:

• Johnson’s administration has pioneered efforts to improve public safety by addressing sociological issues like poverty and insufficient mental health care.
• His administration prioritizes fighting violence and building stronger neighborhoods within the community.

Climate and Environmental Justice:

• In February 2024, lawsuits were filed against several oil and gas companies, charging them with willfully deceiving the public about the environmental effects of their goods and Chicago’s climate change damages.

Obstacles and Concerns

• For all the achievements, challenges came during Mayor Johnson’s term. He tried to implement reforms in the Chicago Public Schools’ top leadership, which created a conflict that ultimately resulted in all seven board members being removed and replaced due to controversy over administrative actions.
• Moreover, he has been criticized by various community and business organizations for his solutions to manage the ongoing migrant crisis, his fiscal policies, and his tax hikes.
• Nonetheless, Johnson pushes forward with policies that he believes will bring transformational change.
• Brandon Johnson is married to Stacie, and they have three kids together.
• They live in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
• Brandon Johnson’s life as a father and community member has greatly impacted how he approaches governance with empathy and a focus on communities.
• From a teacher to the Mayor of Chicago, Johnson’s journey clearly illustrates his goal of building a more equitable and just Chicago. He continues to make his best efforts and work with others to solve the many problems the city and its residents face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM8Yb7GUwoI