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MAA grills the mayor on the CTU, CPD and Arwady

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* Mayor Brandon Johnson sat down with Mary Ann Ahern for quite an interview. Long excerpt..

MAA: What do you say to those who say that you are doing the bidding for the Chicago Teachers Union?

Johnson: Well, again, I mean, we have brought so many people together over the course of these last 100 days, I mean, so much so that you know, that people are embracing the fact that we have [interrupted]

MAA: But that’s not the answer. Are you there on behest of the Chicago Teachers Union?

Johnson: Chicago voted for me. And so I’m serving the people of Chicago. What does that look like? Bringing Chicago Home. For years that legislation has been stalled. We are now moving towards Treatment Not Trauma. For years that legislation has been stalled. I mean, the fact that we’re going to eliminate this sub minimum wage work, you know, where Black and Brown women will actually get an opportunity for raises. I mean, these are our policies that have been stalled for years now. And we’ve moved it within the first 100 days.

MAA: Is Stacy Davis Gates the most inner circle?

Johnson: We have a full team that works directly with me, but we also have business partners. We have philanthropy. We have faith based leaders. We have the full force of government that continues to be on display.

MAA: What’s her role?

Johnson: I believe she’s the President of the Chicago Teachers Union.

MAA: What is her role with you?

Johnson: She’s the President of the Chicago Teachers Union. I’m the Mayor of the City of Chicago.

MAA: How often do you see her and hear from her?

Johnson: I’m the Mayor of the City of Chicago, Mary Ann.

MAA: By not answering that it gives the impression that she is very much a part of your every-day decision-making.

Johnson: I have a superintendent, an interim, and we appointed with the expectation that we’re going to have confirmation for new police superintendent Larry Snelling. We are literally bringing the entire City of Chicago together.

MAA: Teachers’ negotiations are coming up. How much of a raise, if any, do they deserve?

Johnson: Well, I think at this point, it’s important to know that for the first time in the history of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union are actually collaborating together. We have a school board that is made up of parents, community leaders, business leaders, philanthropic leaders, we have a special education committee…

MAA: I’m just, I don’t mean to be rude, but when I have such limited time, what about the raise? Do they deserve a raise?

Johnson: So right now, you have for the first time in the history of Chicago, where you have a mayor who sends their children to the Chicago Public Schools. Making sure that we have a public school system that works for all of our families, that’s what I’m committed to doing.

MAA: That’s a non-answer as well. The FOP, deserve the same parental leave as the teachers received?

Johnson: Making sure that we have a police force that is fully supported, building the morale, I’m confident that the new superintendent, that I’m looking forward to his confirmation Chief Snelling, is going to continue to boost that morale. But we also have to make sure that we are providing support for our police officers. What I’ve seen repeatedly, and law enforcement agrees with me, we are asking way too much from police officers.

MAA: So parental leave, they should get that as well?

Johnson: So Treatment Not Trauma is something that is very important to making sure that police officers are not responding to mental health crises, making sure that we have 200 more detectives over the course of my administration…

MAA: When’s that gonna happen? That was my next question.

Johnson: We’re working towards it. Listen, we have a confirmation that is coming soon with a new police superintendent. And so we’re bringing all of our stakeholders together to make sure that we have real smart constitutional policing, leading towards the type of investments that are going to be needed to ensure that public safety is fully reached, using the [cross-talk] of government.

MAA: That 200 detectives was really part of a campaign promise, but we haven’t seen it yet.

Johnson: Well, again, we have a new police superintendent that’s going to be confirmed. And I know that there are people, some people that are accustomed to a dictatorial style of governance. That is not my style. And so it’s going to be the full responsibility of our leadership within our police department to help us come up with a full strategy around community safety that does not require simply police intervention, but it also takes into account how we have sergeants, lieutenants, commanders, chiefs, detectives all working towards the same goal.

MAA: Whether you call them a mob action or large teen takeover; when property is destroyed, when cars are vandalized, when businesses are robbed, what should the police do?

Johnson: Well, as you know, with the last gathering that took place, there were 40 arrests. And what I’m grateful for, though, is that police officers in that situation displayed an enormous amount of restraint. I know that wasn’t easy, and I appreciate that level of restraint that was on full display. And so, again, as I’ve said repeatedly, we do not condone any behavior that is criminal. They don’t behave, we don’t condone any of that. But we also have to make sure that we’re committed to investing in people and that’s what I’m committed to doing.

MAA: And another topic. COVID cases are rising. Arwady’s gone. Strategically, what did her firing accomplish?

Johnson: This is the last thing I want to say on this. And I’ve been reluctant to talk about this in public because I don’t believe it’s right to discuss personnel or decisions to terminate someone publicly. I believe that’s morally not right.

MAA: That is it.

Johnson: I know that there are some people…

MAA: I was asking about COVID. So now what do we do? We don’t have a health commissioner.

Johnson: You asked about her firing.

MAA: Right.

Johnson: That’s what you asked about and…

MAA: I said what did it accomplish, and we have COVID cases.

Johnson: So again, I know that there are some people that are accustomed to a combative approach to how we do politics in the city of Chicago. I’ve been reluctant to speak about the termination of an employee publicly because I don’t believe that’s morally right.

MAA: Okay, so now we have a health department without a leader, the medical director is about to leave and we have COVID cases rising. Who’s going to run the health department?

Johnson: The health department is being fully ran by the person who has now assumed the rule, and we’re going to continue to make sure that we’re putting forth all of the practices, as well as the strategic, necessary interventions to make sure that we are mitigating the expansion or proliferation of COVID.

MAA: Migrants. Even more have arrived in the last week. We have aldermen who are concerned, they’re talking about crimes that are being committed. If you’ve walked, as I did yesterday, down State Street, it’s not safe. What’s going on and what are you going to do to get help move perhaps have the suburbs as you mentioned, to help you out?

Johnson: Well, look, everyone is participating in, working towards addressing this humanitarian crisis. The state of Illinois and I appreciate the support of Governor Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, as well as the full force of government here in the City of Chicago. Since I’ve been in office, 90 more buses have arrived. Thousands of families continue to show up over the course of these last 90 days. And so what I’ve said repeatedly and I’ll say it again, that we’re committed to making sure that what was passed 40 years ago by Mayor Harold Washington to make sure that the city of Chicago is a sanctuary city, that we’re going to continue to embrace that and so we’re going to continue to make sure like we’ve been doing to expand shelters. A we’ve put ten more shelters online since I’ve been in office. And of course we’re going to continue to work to move people out of police stations because we know that police stations, that is not an ideal place for people to…

MAA: You thanked Preckwinkle, but yet at the same time, what has she done to help you on this?

Johnson: Well, there’s been full participation by Governor Pritzker and the board president. The board president has been very helpful in providing medical support and health care services, providing transportation for migrants. And so look, there’s a lot of work to be done. But here’s the part that I’m clear about. We’ve laid a very clear foundation in the City of Chicago over the course of these 90 days. I’m fully aware of what I inherited, whether it’s climate injustice, whether it’s the fact that our public schools have not been fully supported. The fact that we have not had a full plan to address the migrant dynamic in the city of Chicago public safety. All of these dynamics have been a part of the infrastructure in the City of Chicago for decades. Once upon a time as you know, 900 murders annually. This last administration, upwards of 700 murders. These are challenges we have all over the country. And what I’m excited about in this moment, is that the city of Chicago is fully embracing the collaborative spirit that I promised and I ran on, and it’s going to take all of us. There’s not one person, there’s not one department that can solve the challenges that we have right now. But the best part about the city of Chicago is that the city of Chicago, the people of Chicago, are committed to transformation. I’m grateful that people have actually stepped up, particularly with migrants to provide mutual aid and support for families. The fact that again, that we’re bringing entities together to solve these dynamics within our education system. That’s the exciting part about being the mayor of the City of Chicago.

It goes on from there.

Please pardon all transcription errors.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:35 pm

Comments

Question of the Day suggestion.

What on earth did I just read?

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:47 pm
Just brutal. This guy has no business on the 5th floor.

Comment by Mr. Jimmy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:49 pm
Lots of platitudes, non-answers, deflections.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:52 pm
Me Jimmy is spot on. Chicago needed a mayor and what it got is a Union Organizer with a sub degree as a sociologist. Good Grief. Thank heavens there are still reporters willing to ask elected leaders tough questions. The guy is a total disaster

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:52 pm
“We are literally bringing the entire City of Chicago together.” Let us know how that works out for you, Mayor.

Comment by Loyal Virus Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:54 pm
Much of that was self inflicted.

Mary asked great questions (as typical) but the Mayor never had anything close to an answer.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:56 pm
i know people make a big deal about the first 100 days in office but this in not 1932. i sorta like the mayor give him time. There are people on this blog that defend Pritzger saying he inherited a mess which he did and needs more time. Same said about Biden. If this mayor had all the answers in his first 100 days he should just be President. And i think his non answers are more polite than Lightfoot s

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 2:56 pm
Lightfoot 2.0

Comment by More nonsense Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:00 pm
All I’m focused in is getting the Damen green line stop finished in proper condition before the DNC in a historically redlined area of Chicago

Comment by Lake Villa Townshio Dem PC Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:12 pm
No platitude left behind.

Comment by King Louis XVI Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:13 pm
This is very, very concerning. My goodness! He is the Mayor of the third largest city in the U.S. and he cannot or will not answer basic questions.

Comment by Teve Demotte Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:15 pm
Lot of Hat…..not many cattle

When someone shows you who they are, believe them.

Comment by It's always Sunny in Illinois Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:18 pm
– Well, I think at this point, it’s important to know that for the first time in the history of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union are actually collaborating together –

“Collaborating”

Perhaps he meant a different word that also begins with “coll-”

But I get it, this is a mayor easily confused by legal terminology. Wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m accusing him of mob action, because he’s not Italian, or being a Manchurian candidate, because he’s not Chinese…

Comment by JB13 Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:24 pm
He promised to fire Arwardy in his campaign. That’s his choice. But to not do so immediately, to wait almost three months and then do so on a Friday at 5pm without telling her to her face? Amateur move.

Comment by Chinese Food Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:29 pm
During the campaign, Brandon Johnson was an empty suit full of rhetoric. Not much has changed now that he’s on the fifth floor.

His long-winded answers to Mary Ann Ahern indicate that he has no solutions. Johnson’s pontificating will not serve the city in the short term or long term.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:33 pm
That was difficult to read. Yikes.

He still hasnt said anything about the 7-11 owner who’s store was trashed by the teens, nor has he said anything about the residents of the South Loop who were targeted and had full cans of pop thrown at their heads.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:39 pm
Yikes.

I get why he’s aggravated about the repeated CTU questions: They imply that he’s not his own man and takes orders from the CTU President.

But at the same time, he is not taking the time to provide an answer that indicates otherwise. We’re 100 days in and he still is speaking like a sociology grad student. I can’t imagine what this does for morale in City offices, without a leader that is sounding like he’s taking charge.

Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:47 pm
I can’t believe that we have 1,360 more days of this. Wow. Just. Wow.

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:48 pm
How long has MAA been at this? She should know by now that negotiations don’t take place in public and they aren’t piecemeal. Do teachers deserve a raise? What package are they seeking? Salary, PTO, staffing changes; lots of stuff on the table.

And shilling for the FOP was just silly. Different groups, different priorities, different packages. What they don’t get on one line they may get on another. You can’t treat this as a smorgasbord; you gotta look at the totality of what everybody wants.

Given the questions, the mayor did ok. He didn’t give anything away to a reporter before anything real starts. That’s the job at this stage.

Comment by Socially DIstant watcher Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:53 pm
=== He still hasnt said anything about the 7-11 owner who’s store was trashed by the teens, nor has he said anything … ===

Is the expectation that the mayor is supposed to offer public comment on every crime that makes the evening news?

Isn’t preventing and addressing crime CPD’s job?

Comment by Mark D Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:54 pm
==Is the expectation that the mayor is supposed to offer public comment on every crime that makes the evening news==

He made several public comments about not demonizing the teens and not calling them a mob after the 40 were arrested. He continues it in this interview w MAA.

He addressed every aspect of what happened except the victims.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:59 pm
===Given the questions, the mayor did ok.===

Meh.

While nobody ever grilled Lightfoot over and over about how much she talked with her mentor (who tried to slash public pensions) during her first 100 days, he should’ve been far better prepared to answer that question.

===She should know by now that negotiations don’t take place in public and===

And that should’ve been the answer.

===You can’t treat this as a smorgasbord; you gotta look at the totality of what everybody wants.===

Again, decent answer. You should go work on the 5th Floor because whoever is prepping him now ain’t doing it well. In the end, it’s him, but he just looks totally lost in this interview.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 3:59 pm
This seems like a bogus question to me: “Are you there on behest of the Chicago Teachers Union?”

It implies that an elected official would only have a single interest and is awaiting instructions from some other entity.

Of course, his background tells us he has a friendly attitude to the CTU. But at the behest of?

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:00 pm
Maybe it plays differently on video but this is brutal. Johnson comes across as a total jerk (which he rarely does).

Comment by Torco Sign Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:02 pm
Crash Davis understood these things.

You got to work on your cliches, you need to study them, you need to know them, they’re your friends.

Johnson put himself in a position not for follow up questions, that’s fine, but himself in line for follow up questions that make his first answer seem worse.

Practice. You get better at this with practice.

That and learn your cliches

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:04 pm
Brandon Johnson reminds me of the teacher who has not prepared any lesson plans so he talks and talks and talks the entire time until class is over.

Class dismissed.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:06 pm
Boy he’s really good…at not answering questions!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:25 pm
I watched the entire interview with MAA. I thought Mayor Johnson did a reasonable job for what he was attempting to achieve. He comes off likable (more likable than Lightfoot) . He didn’t say too much. I expect Chicago teachers will get a new contract with numbers all that not different from what L.A. teachers just achieved. The people have voted and Johnson has a majority. MAA did ask some difficult questions. Taxes and fees probably will have to go up somewhere. That’s what Chicago voters wanted.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:38 pm
==for the first time in the history of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Teachers Union are actually collaborating together==

This makes no sense. Fully executed contracts are collaborations, otherwise there would be no collaboration. CTU has signed each and every contract to date.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:54 pm
Let me say this about that…it’s a three part answer…let’s start with the last part first…Uuhmm…what was the original question, again.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 4:54 pm
Mary Ann Ahern was practically a spokesperson for the Vallas campaign, whomever agreed to that interview should not have.

“If you’ve walked, as I did yesterday, down State Street, it’s not safe.”

I am sorry Mary Ann, did you witness actual crimes, or just nonwhite people who made you feel uncomfortable?

What does “State Street is not safe” actually mean?

As for Arwady, let me say what no one else wants to say out loud: Black people were dying by the droves, invisibly, across Chicago, while Arwady was focused on closing down bike paths on the Northside and the mayor and her media guru were patting themselves on the back for their clever internet memes. Then, Arwady allowed herself to be injected into the contract negotiations.

Arwady got fired because Chicago could not fire Lightfoot twice.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:05 pm
Does anyone think Vallas would have answered pointed questions like this any better?

Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:12 pm
I apologize if Ahern was referring to the 8600 block of South State Street:

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/police-activity-at-chicago-gas-station

:-)

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:19 pm
===Arwady got fired because Chicago could not fire Lightfoot twice.===

Lol.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:28 pm
Since he hasn’t really accomplished anything yet, I guess this is pre-season but I have to conclude, Welcome to the NFL Mr. Johnson. MAA to Johnson may be what Dick Kay was to George Ryan. (yean, I know, I’m old).

Comment by levivotedforjudy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:30 pm
===Arwady got fired because Chicago could not fire Lightfoot twice.===

This is art.

Art.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 5:39 pm
The people that ended up with this and branded Valls as some MAGA type are gonna get what they deserve and I am all here to see Chicago burn down Bc of it.

Comment by An Idea Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 6:15 pm
===branded Valls as some MAGA type===

Narrator: Vallas is still “some MAGA type” hero

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 6:18 pm
===She should know by now that negotiations don’t take place in public and===

And that should’ve been the answer.

Exactly–this one was super easy, and yet he still fumbled. He definitely needs to step up his game.

Comment by Leslie K Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 6:24 pm
===by default a MAGA supporter===

Narrator: Vallas courted MAGA support, never shunned MAGA support, now a fellow with the Illinois Policy Institute

This is as inconvenient as you not having a name on your comment, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 6:52 pm
The mayor is a great talker, he evaded a lot of questions but a different tone from the last one.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Aug 22, 23 @ 9:08 pm
As long as Johnson isn’t answering these questions, then others will answer them for him. He won’t like the answers.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 23, 23 @ 7:07 am