* This is what happens when your campaign only has enough money to run a single messaging track on broadcast TV…

Today, Brandon Johnson for Chicago released a new website, www.WrongForChicago.com, and digital ad detailing Paul Vallas’ long Republican history, his record of destruction and failure, his anti-working family policy platform, his questionable record on racism, and his concerning ties to right-wing extremists.

* CBS 2 had a lightning round during last night’s debate. Candidates were asked several questions and they could answer yes or no. Both candidates said they supported qualified immunity for police, both said they support reparations, both said they support the Anjanette Young Ordinance.

Vallas said the thing he loves about Chicago the most is its “diversity.” Johnson said it was, “the way the people of Chicago love one another.”

Asked what they hate about Chicago, Johnson said, “I don’t think there’s anything that I hate about the city of Chicago. There are some things that I wish would be better.” Vallas: “The same.”

What’s the first issue that you will fix in office? Vallas: “Public safety.” Johnson: “I want to restore confidence in government and the office of the mayor. I’m gonna fix that relationship.”

Cubs or Sox: Johnson, after a long pause: “Here’s the thing. We only had WGN growing up. How’s that?” Loud laughter ensued. Vallas wasn’t asked the question.

* Paul Vallas used an Illinois Policy Institute talking point during last night’s debate…

“He’s actually gonna retire with a teacher pension despite the fact that he’s only been a teacher for four years,” Vallas replied.

* Meanwhile, Brandon Johnson is a delegate to United Working Families, and when you click the “Volunteer” button on his campaign website, it takes you to a UWF page.

Johnson’s proposals to reinstate the city’s “Business Head Tax,” his hotel tax, his real estate transfer tax plan, his financial transaction tax, etc. all appear to have come from United Working Families’ Reimagine Chicago proposal.

Not to mention that the group really doesn’t like the police…

No justice, no peace! No funds for the police! pic.twitter.com/Rut5TdLSD6

— United Working Families (@UWFIllinois) September 14, 2021

And it took Johnson four tries to answer a simple question about his past statements and actions on the topic…

🚨NEW: Brandon Johnson repeatedly refused to answer a question about defunding the police.@cbschicago asked Johnson the same question three times in a row.

This is how he handled it. ⬇️

Cringe. 😬 pic.twitter.com/BKcAVG1BfK

— Illinois Policy (@illinoispolicy) March 29, 2023

* Tribune…

Vallas was again confronted about his connection to Awake Illinois, a right-wing organization that has espoused anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. The candidate said he appeared at a fundraiser with Awake last summer only because he was invited by a pro-school choice friend, Chicago pastor Corey Brooks, and was unaware of the group’s history.

He also said during the debate about that appearance: “I should have done a better job vetting. I did apologize for that. And I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Except that was the second time he spoke at an Awake Illinois event. The first time, in 2021, he said the group’s founder should run for governor. It’s quite amazing that nobody has really called him out on that.

* Back to the Tribune…

Vallas was confronted a third time about associations with conservatives when moderators cited a 2021 interview he did with a radio show in which he said unspecific school curriculum inspired by critical race theory was harming families and taking emphasis off more important subjects.

The former CEO of Chicago Public Schools denied that and said, “I made no statements of the sort…”

Oh, please. To the audio…

Vallas: When you introduce a curriculum that is not only divisive, but a curriculum that further undermines the relationship of children with their parents, with their families, that’s a dangerous thing. And for White parents, I mean, how are you going to discipline your child when your child comes home and your child has basically been told, you know, that their generation, their race, their parents, their grandparents they have discriminated against others and they have somehow victimized another person’s race. Or for that matter, if you are a Black child, how do you go home and and listen to your parent when your parent has failed to be successful in addressing these historically racist institutional obstacles that have denied them a chance at equal opportunity. So I think it’s detracting from our need to focus on our core subject areas. It’s allowing us to avoid accountability in terms of the quality of our teaching the quality of our schools, and I think it’s not only divisive, but I think it does damage between the children and their own and their own parents, their own family and within their own families.

Wirepoints: Yeah, Paul, I often wonder if you’re a Black kid, why wouldn’t you become a criminal if you’re hearing this stuff in school? It’s everybody with white skin is an oppressor if you have black skin, you’re the oppressed. That makes it pretty easy to justify pretty bad conduct in my opinion.

Vallas: You’re absolutely right. But what you’re also doing, you know, you’re giving people an excuse for bad behavior.

* Isabel’s roundup…

* Sun-Times | Johnson accuses Vallas of being ‘dismissive of a Black man’ in TV debate that features both vowing to unify Chicago: A debate that plowed a lot of old ground about the dramatic differences between Johnson and Vallas on public safety, public education and city finances turned personal when Johnson reiterated his claim that skipped pension payments during Vallas’ tenure as Chicago Public Schools CEO during the 1990’s set the stage for an avalanche of property tax increases in recent years. “They called it a holiday to make people feel good about it. But, it’s not a holiday. It’s a disaster. We’re talking about a $2.5 billion property tax bill that we are stuck with because he’s bad at it. He has failed everywhere he’s gone. But unfortunately, Paul Vallas continued to fail up. We can’t allow that to happen. The stakes are just too high,” Johnson said. Vallas countered that the pension fund holiday “actually happened in 2008 when I was in New Orleans.”

* Tribune | In race for mayor, Paul Vallas’ and Brandon Johnson’s campaign donors are as different as the candidates: While well more than half of Johnson’s cash since March 1 has come from CTU, other teacher union organizations or progressive unions, Vallas has received millions of dollars from Chicago and suburban business leaders. Some have ties to groups that back a state-sponsored scholarship program for private schools as well as leaders with interests in charter schools.

* Tribune | Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas spar at last televised debate before Election Day: ‘I’m criticizing his leadership ability’: Vallas was again confronted about his connection to Awake Illinois, a right-wing organization that has espoused anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. The candidate said he appeared at a fundraiser with Awake last summer only because he was invited by a pro-school choice friend, Chicago pastor Corey Brooks, and was unaware of the group’s history. “I immediately denounced them, and I criticized them and obviously I condemned them,” Vallas said. “I’ve had a lifelong history. I’ve supported marriage equality when it was called gay marriage in 2000.”

* Sun-Times | Dollars vs. decentralization: Johnson’s and Vallas’ vastly different fixes for CPS: Paul Vallas plans drastic changes to CPS’ structure, bolstering principals and local leaders’ power over spending and programming — and even the ability to let a charter school take over their campus. He would prioritize standardized testing and make it easier to hold students back a grade so they don’t graduate without necessary reading and math skills. “We should be running districts of schools, not school districts,” Vallas said. “I really believe in radical decentralization.”

* Block Club | Johnson And Vallas Say They’ll ‘Phase Out’ Speed Cameras In Final Televised Debate Before Election: “I’m for phasing them out if the Constitution allows us to,” Johnson said. “And if we can’t, wherever a speed ticket has been accumulated, or acquired, that ZIP code should get the revenue.” […] Vallas agreed Tuesday speed cameras should be eliminated for the most part, but he said he believes they do serve a purpose near schools, at least during school hours.

* WGN | Vallas, Johnson faceoff in final debate ahead of Chicago mayoral election: Brandon Johnson, who this week pledged not cut a single penny from the Chicago Police budget, was pressed about his past statements that he supports redirecting police funds. […] The candidates were asked to react to comments made by Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Union President John Catanzara who told the New York Times 800 to 1,000 Chicago officers will leave the force if Johnson is elected mayor. Catanzara is also quoted predicting there would be “blood in the streets.”

* ABC Chicago | Chicago mayoral poll shows tie between Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson 1 week away from Election Day: Vallas also accused Johnson of being “largely funded by the Chicago Teachers Union” as he responded to questions about controversial comments made by Chicago Fraternal Order of Police president John Catanzara in the New York Times. […] “This is a critical moment where the type of fear and trepidation that’s being pushed on the other side, our message has been centered around hopes, and our hopes are turning into votes,” Johnson countered.

* Sophia King | Chicago needs collaborative leadership that will comprehensively tackle public safety: As a leader of one of the most diverse communities in our city, it is clear to me that we need a mayor who will focus on collaboration. Paul has demonstrated a willingness to soundboard ideas and shift his approach with the counsel of those who have the best interests of our city’s most vulnerable people at heart.

* Crain’s | Chicago schools are at a crossroads. The new mayor will determine the district’s next steps.: The Chicago Teachers Union’s current contract expires in 2024. If history is any guide, negotiations will begin this winter under the leadership of the new mayor. Two of the last three contracts were settled only after teachers went on strike, and the next mayor will be under considerable pressure to avoid another one. It’s clear from Johnson’s education platform that he would approach the demands of the teachers union as an ally.

* Block Club | Chicago’s Big Spenders: Here’s Who Is Paying Serious Cash To Shape The Next City Council: The analysis found more than $21 million has poured into City Council races, including $18 million in direct donations to candidates’ campaign funds and $3 million more spent independently by outside groups. The money has paid for a series of proxy wars, pitting longtime City Hall insiders or pro-business candidates against independents and progressives.

* Crain’s | Vallas: Make ‘the city that works’ work again: In a speech to the City Club of Chicago, Vallas, like rival Brandon Johnson did yesterday, summarized his major campaign themes in a final pitch before an audience of movers and shakers. And, like Johnson, he not only explained his plans, but also ripped his opponent, saying the policies of the two “could not be more dissimilar.”

* NBC Chicago | Chicago City Council’s Progressive Reform Caucus Rebukes Ald. Sophia King For Vallas Endorsement: Though King’s endorsement has attracted criticism from fellow Progressive Reform Caucus members, three other members of the caucus, including fellow former mayoral candidate Roderick Sawyer, have endorsed Vallas.

* Press release | Brandon Johnson’s Public Schedule for Wednesday: Canvassing with Alderman Hall 12:00pm, Retail Visit: Englewood Branded 1:15pm, Bishop J Drew Sheard Endorsement 2:00pm…

* Press release | Martin Luther King III, AFT President Randi Weingarten, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, and Rep. Delia Ramirez to Join Bernie Sanders at Brandon Johnson Rally on Thursday: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King III, AFT President Randi Weingarten, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, and Rep. Delia Ramirez will join Sen. Bernie Sanders and Commissioner Brandon Johnson in speaking at the get out the vote rally at the UIC Forum on Thursday at 7:00 PM.

* Block Club | As Outside Groups Spend Big To Back Kim Walz In 46th Ward Election, Campaign Contribution Cap Lifted: The limit on contributions to the campaigns — by individuals and organizations — were lifted after outside groups spent more than $100,000 on the 46th Ward runoff race, the threshold by which contribution limits are removed. By March 21, outside groups had spent at least $102,000 in the runoff that started after the Feb. 28 election — with all of it either in support of Walz or opposing Clay.

* Block Club | Dunne, Villegas Campaigns Using Red Boxes As Apparent Signal To Outside Spenders: “Redboxing” is approved messaging and phrasing within a red-outlined box on a campaign website to indirectly suggest wording and dissemination methods to PACs. Some election experts have criticized the practice, but redboxing isn’t illegal in Illinois.

* Block Club | 46th Ward Candidates Will Debate Uptown, Lakeview Issues Thursday: The debate is being co-hosted by Uptown United, the Uptown Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters of Chicago. It will be recorded and posted to Uptown United’s website by Friday, barring any technical difficulties.

* Block Club | Ald. Leslie Hairston Hosts Her Last Ward Meeting Before Leaving City Council: ‘I Will Still Be Around The Neighborhood’: Hairston’s brief sendoff touted the Obama Center, Regal Mile Studios, Local Market in South Shore, the Greater Grand Crossing library and other projects in the 5th Ward during her 24-year tenure.

* Sun-Times | Some Discount Mall vendors say extension came too late: ‘The city did us wrong’: About 40 vendors got a six-week extension Monday afternoon, but most already had packed up. “They waited until the last moment to tell us,” said Griselda Estrada, standing in the store where she’s worked nearly 30 years.

* WGN | City of Chicago forces suburban couple to pay red light violation that isn’t theirs: The couple appealed the violation, but a judge ruled against them. After that, they sent the Department of Finance proof the car and plate isn’t theirs through the mail, but it was also refused and sent back.

* Crain’s | Big TIF requests challenge Lightfoot’s LaSalle Street plan: The scale of taxpayer dollars needed for Lightfoot’s LaSalle Street Reimagined initiative raises key questions about where public resources should be allocated to try to hasten the Loop’s post-pandemic recovery. Lightfoot and her successor must try to restore foot traffic in the central business district with no promise that office users will ever again be enough to keep it healthy. Taxpayers have an interest, too, and a financial role to play to ensure that the heart of downtown isn’t beset by white elephant properties generating little tax revenue and potentially keeping businesses away.

* CBS Chicago | More and more migrants are seeking shelter in Chicago Police station lobbies: Police sources tell us as of now, almost every police station across the city at one point has had migrants seeking shelter in its lobby – with no place to sleep. Meanwhile still, Chicago is receiving record numbers of arrivals of migrants – and community groups are bearing the burden of it all.