CNN – Chicago voters will choose Brandon Johnson, a progressive Cook County commissioner backed by the powerful teachers union, as the city’s next mayor, CNN projects.
Johnson will win Tuesday’s runoff election over Paul Vallas, a moderate former city schools superintendent who had campaigned on a pro-police message in a race where concerns about violent crime were central.
Johnson told supporters his victory had “ushered in a new chapter in the history of our city” and demonstrated a “bold, progressive movement” that he said should be a blueprint for the country.
“Now, Chicago will begin to work for its people – all the people. Because tonight is a gateway to a new future for our city; a city where you can thrive no matter who you love or how much money you have in your bank account,” he said.
8 thoughts on “From CNN Politics: Progressive Brandon Johnson will be elected Chicago mayor, succeeding Lori Lightfoot, CNN projects”
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This will be very interesting to watch.Report
I have to say I know nothing about this guy, and very little about Lightfoot.
My vague and removed impression was she wasn’t very good at this; but the margin of error was very large.Report
Good news!
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With the money he is going to save when 1,000 cops resign it should be plenty.Report
Yeah, after the cops quit, the wealthy and businesses will have no choice but to pony up!Report
Social programs will get zip. He needs to raise that money just to pay for Chicago’s various massive budget holes. He’s just pointing at something which might be popular enough to support a tax increase.Report
Primary problem is pensions, although this link argues the real problem is the process itself.
https://effectivegov.uchicago.edu/news/the-making-of-chicagos-fiscal-mess
Chicago showcases the problem of having defined pensions, especially in combo with strong unions. The pensions voted in 30 years were unrealistic, adjusting them is politically impossible short of bankruptcy. Ergo they’re eventually going to go bankrupt.Report
Chicago doesn’t have authority to raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy at least in any direct way; it can’t tax income or earnings. Some of the indirect items he’s proposed, like taxes on jet fuel and home sales, are also probably not authorized.Report