Mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas gathered at the Chicago History Museum for a debate about issues affecting Black and Latino Chicagoans.
On Monday, March 20, Vallas and Johnson attended Chicago’s Black and Brown Futures: Conversations with the Mayoral Candidates, moderated by Dorothy Tucker and Hugo Balta, each candidate was given thirty minutes to answer identical questions presented by the moderators. The questions consisted of issues involving safety, economic development, diversity, equity and inclusion, immigration, community development, and housing.
The first candidate to take to the podium, Brandon Johnson, is known as the mayoral runoff elections progressive candidate.
Brandon Johnson, who was just given endorsements by Senior Senator Bernie Sanders and fourth runner-up in the primary mayoral election, Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia, is known in this election as Chicago’s progressive candidate. He speaks proudly of his home being the West Side, his ideals of defunding the police, and making education more accessible to all Chicagoans.
Universal Childcare
The first question he asked was about universal childcare. He started by telling the audience that when he and his wife were taking care of their children, he actually spent more a month on childcare than his mortgage for his house in Austin. He thinks it’s entirely important that people are able to have access to affordable childcare.
“Right now childcare is unavailable, unaffordable, and unsustainable,” said Johnson.
Education and Option Schools
After being asked about option schools, he stated that hat all people who live in the city should have access to the education they need. He also spoke of using abandoned buildings around the city as options for schools.
Another facet of education that is important to him is Chicagoans being able to go to schools within their community. Schools that have enough funding and enrichment for all students to enjoy and learn. He cited that one of his children goes to a specific school because not many schools in his area have an orchestra.
“Why are we asking Chicagoans to apply for something that should be free?” said Johnson.
Community Development
Johnson was questioned about how disenfranchised neighborhoods will receive the financing that is needed. To this, he brought up his plans for soon-to-be former mayor Lightfoot’s Invest South/West project.
He wants to give $500 million every year to invest in the South/West. Furthermore, create an equitable tax structure so that people can age in place, afford to buy homes, and start businesses.
When asked if he would support a permanent guaranteed income program, he said that not only would he, but that he already started a program like that as a Cook County Commissioner.
Crime and Safety
On the issue of crime, Johnson was firm in that Chicago doesn’t need more police to make the city safer.
Johnson wants to promote and train 200 more detectives within the Chicago Police Department. This is so that crimes do not go unsolved. But this isn’t all for Johnson’s plan for safety.
He wants Chicago businesses to have incentives to hire young people, which helps crime prevention. He also wants to work with violence prevention organizations to get to the root of crime. Finally, working on ways to keep police intervening with violence and create a different organization for non-violent 911 calls.
He also wants to work on implementing the Consent Decree, which will help curb violence due to police. This includes chasing those the police believe committed a crime.
“I’m committed to doing what works,” said Johnson.
Immigration
When asked about immigration, Johnson made it clear that Chicago would be a welcoming city to all people.
“The City of Chicago under my administration will always be a sanctuary city; a sanctuary space,” said Johnson. “You get to be supported in my city.”
He wants to create an office in city hall dedicated to resources for immigrants entering Chicago.
Economic Development
Finally, when asked about the rising cost of living in the city of Chicago, he stated that he believes firmly in not raising property taxes. With this, he also wants to expand the affordable housing ordinance and create aid for Chicagoans to get a down payment for buying property in the city.
Written by Caroline Buehler
Sources:
Chicago’s Black & Latino Future: Conversations with the Mayoral Candidates: Brandon Johnson, March 20, 2023
Featured and Inset Images Courtesy of Omari Jahi
