Brandon Johnson (politician)

Brandon Johnson (politician)
Name	Brandon Johnson
Office	Mayor of Chicago
Term start	May 15, 2023
Predecessor	Lori Lightfoot
Birth date	31 January 1976
Birth place	Elgin, Illinois, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Stacie Johnson
Education	Aurora University (BA), Erikson Institute (MA)

Brandon Johnson (politician) is an American politician and educator serving as the 57th Mayor of Chicago since May 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Chicago City Council from the 1st ward and as an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union. Johnson's election in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election positioned him as a progressive leader focused on addressing issues of public safety, education, and economic equity in the nation's third-largest city.

Early life and education

Brandon Johnson was born on January 31, 1976, in Elgin, Illinois, and was raised in a large family in the Kankakee area. He attended public schools in Kankakee County before enrolling at Aurora University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education. He later obtained a Master of Arts in early childhood development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago. His early experiences in education and his family's background in the Pentecostal church significantly influenced his community-oriented perspective.

Early career

Before entering politics, Johnson worked as a middle school teacher and civics instructor in the Chicago Public Schools system, primarily at Jenner Academy of the Arts on the city's Near North Side. His work in the classroom led him to become an organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union, where he played a prominent role in the 2012 Chicago teachers' strike and the 2019 Chicago Public Schools strike. During this period, he also served as a national trainer for the American Federation of Teachers and was a board member for the Grassroots Collaborative, a coalition of community organizations.

Chicago City Council

Johnson was elected as the alderman for Chicago's 1st ward in 2019, defeating the incumbent Proco Joe Moreno. As a member of the Chicago City Council, he served on several committees, including the Committee on Education and Child Development and the Committee on Public Safety. He was a vocal advocate for policies such as the Treatment Not Trauma ordinance, increased funding for Chicago Public Schools, and the Empowerment and Reinvestment Ordinance, which aimed to redirect resources to underserved neighborhoods. He aligned with the council's Progressive Reform Caucus.

2023 Chicago mayoral election

In the 2023 Chicago mayoral election, Johnson launched his campaign as a progressive alternative to incumbent Lori Lightfoot and challenger Paul Vallas. After advancing from the initial round, he faced Vallas in a runoff election on April 4, 2023. Johnson secured endorsements from key figures like U.S. Representative Jesús "Chuy" García, the Chicago Teachers Union, and the Service Employees International Union. His platform, centered on a "Treat Root Causes" approach to crime and new revenue proposals like a "mansion tax," led to a narrow victory, making him the second consecutive African American mayor of Chicago.

Mayor of Chicago

Johnson was sworn in as the 57th Mayor of Chicago on May 15, 2023, succeeding Lori Lightfoot. His early administration focused on implementing his "People's Plan for Chicago," which included initiatives to address homelessness, expand mental health services, and invest in youth employment programs. He appointed Chicago City Council veteran Brendan Reilly as his floor leader and faced immediate challenges, including negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police and managing the city's response to an influx of asylum seekers sent from states like Texas. His tenure has also involved navigating budget discussions with the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J. B. Pritzker.

Political positions

Politically, Johnson identifies as a progressive Democrat. His key policy positions include advocating for increased taxes on financial transactions and high-value real estate to fund social services, a public safety strategy that combines increased investment in community programs with reforms to the Chicago Police Department, and a strong focus on environmental justice through initiatives like the Chicago Climate Action Plan. He supports expanding affordable housing via tools like the Affordable Requirements Ordinance, has called for greater state funding from Springfield, and is a proponent of organized labor rights, maintaining close ties with the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Category:Mayors of Chicago Category:Chicago City Council members Category:1976 births