Chicago Has a New Mayor

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor & Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Cannabis Corner Editor

At the time we went to press and with 98% of the precincts reporting, the Associated Press called the race declaring Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson as the winner of the 2023 Chicago Mayoral election.

Commissioner Brandon Johnson replaces outgoing one-term mayor, Lori Lightfoot who finished third in the February 28th election. It was a fight for the future of the democratic party with progressive Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson going head-to-head with moderate former CPS CEO, Paul Vallas. The runoff election was a fight to the finish with Vallas finishing with 48.55% of the vote and Johnson finishing with 51.45% of the vote. Mail-In ballots have yet to be counted and have until April 18th to be counted.

After the AP called the race, Vallas conceded the race speaking to his supporters and said, “It’s clear based on the results tonight that the city is deeply divided. So tonight, even though, of course, we believe every vote should be counted, I called Brandon Johnson and told him I absolutely expect him to be the next mayor of Chicago.”

The mayoral race was dominated by opposite visions about public education and public safety. Vallas campaigned on a “law and order” and “pro-police” platform vowing to fill hundreds of CPD vacancies with an emphasis on community policing. Vallas is also a supporter of charter and military schools. In contrast, Johnson ran on a platform of addressing root causes of violence, reallocation of budget spending, and increased investment into Chicago Public Schools.

Speaking to his supporters, Mayor-Elect, Johnson said, “Tonight is proof that by building a multicultural, multigenerational movement, we can bring together everyone no matter if you live on the north side, the south side,or the westside...we have demonstrated that we can change the world Chicago.”

If you have unpaid administrative hearings (AH) debt owed to the City of Chicago, you may qualify for the benefits below!

• Apply online at www.chicago.gov/adr through December 31, 2023.

• Most AH debt, including but not limited to violations issued by the Departments of Streets and Sanitation, Health, Police, Buildings, and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

• Get interest, costs, and fees waived by paying 50% of the fine amount or enrolling in a payment plan by December 31, 2023.

• Open to individuals only. Must be currently enrolled in Utility Billing Relief or Clear Path Relief, or have a household income less than or equal to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on the 30-day period prior to application.

For more information, visit www.chicago.gov/adr or call (312) 742-3317, M - F | 8am-5pm

The runoff election was divisive with many choosing sides, and joining alliances that often caused discourse among former political allies, friends, family, and co-workers. Now that a new mayor has been decided by the voters, will the city be able to unify to get anything done? That’s the challenge for the new mayor.

The new mayor will need to unite a new city council, work with unions, and city services in order to initiate changes in policy, balance the city’s budget and address Chicago residents’ concerns about public safety, policing and crime. None of these can be addressed without also taking into account the need to address disinvestment in communities, food deserts, poverty and inequities in the cities’ poorest and often most violent communities.

The Chicago Aldermanic Race was decided early the evening of April 4 and the following runoff races in predominantly Black wards is one for the history books. Lamont Robinson secured his first term as 4th ward Alderperson with 66.52% of the votes. Yancy and Hone were neck and neck most of election evening with the union backed Desmon Yancy clinching the victory with 51.79% of the votes to serve as the 5th ward Alderperson replacing retiring Ald. Leslie Hairiston. The 6th ward race between William E. Hall and Richard A. Wooten to replace retiring Ald. Rod Sawyer resulted in Hall winning 57.87% of the votes. Having secured just over 50% of the votes, Ronnie L. Moseley will be serving as alderperson for the 21st ward. Monique Scott was the clear winner having 66% of the votes in ward 24 over her opponent Creative Scott. Ald. Chris Taliaferro will serve another term as alderperson of the 29th ward with only 63 votes separating him from CB Johnson. Chicago News Weekly congratulates all who fought hard on the campaign trail to energize residents to vote and have their voices heard. As Chicago welcomes a new mayor and new members to the Black Caucus there is much work to be done to unite City Council and make good on the ideas and solutions for the benefit of Black Chicago.