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Today’s quotable

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* The Chicago Tribune ran a story this week entitled “Mayor Brandon Johnson faces political headwinds from his progressive base.” The whole thing is definitely worth a read because the mayor comes under some sharp criticism from his left base. But check this out…

One of Johnson’s most loyal surrogates amid the swirling negativity has been Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th.

Throughout the storm clouds over CPS, Sigcho-Lopez has been on the offensive and hurling back some of the friendly fire coming at the mayor from the Progressive Caucus. He charged “pseudo-progressives” with abandoning their vision of robustly funding public education and challenged them to come up with a better solution to CPS’ finances that don’t include layoffs.

“We hear some of these elected officials and so-called progressives — I don’t understand some of them, how they can call themselves progressives when they are using very corporate language,” Sigcho-Lopez said in an Instagram video posted this month. “For instance, this ‘fiscally responsible,’ that we have to be fiscally responsible. Well, let me start by explaining how fiscally irresponsible it will be to allow (cuts) in our Chicago Public Schools.”

Calling lifelong, committed lefties “pseudo-progressives” ain’t gonna get him and his ever-shrinking cadre anywhere. Nobody takes these taunts and threats seriously because the mayor is so fabulously unpopular.

* Maybe take a minute to read the room. Plenty of folks want to help. But the people in charge refuse to see that while they’re in bunker mode. And they’ve opened the door for folks like the Illinois Policy Institute and their ilk to step in. And if the other side win a bunch of school board seats, it’s only gonna get worse for the mayor…

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:19 am

Comments

Sigcho-Lopez saying that “fiscally responsible” is mutually exclusive from his brand of progressivism is really showing his true colors here

Comment by no use for (nick)name Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:23 am
Not snark here, a genuine question that I haven’t seen explained: who currently sits on the CPS Board? I read that the 7 members would be resigning once their replacements were appointed but it seems unclear if the 6 new people have actually been appointed. I believe there has to be a Board meeting for that to happen?

Comment by uialum Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:29 am
The only thing that can help Brandon Johnson, and I can’t believe I’m typing this, is a DJT win in November because whatever chaos a second term brings will create some terrain for Johnson and state Democrats to work together.

Comment by pragmatist Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:30 am
The first Board is still the sitting Board. There was meant to be a 7th board member appointed this week so they could do CPS orientation together but that hasn’t happened yet.

I don’t think I agree that Trump winning would give good terrain for Dems and MBJ to work together. It seems like it could lead to direct federal intervention into CPS and city politics. The Dems don’t have defense for that.

Comment by Chicago Voter Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:33 am
–And they’ve opened the door for folks like the Illinois Policy Institute and their ilk to step in.–

That’s the ball game. At the end of the day, this is the actual direction the current behavior boils down to.

It’s a rather similar situation taking place in other areas, with a few self-proclaimed environmentalist progressives getting elected to a nearby city council. Then, when they took office they immediately started voting for all the things they claimed they were against while running. I’ve watched it play out over a year, and right now they have more allies from the far-right than they do their original progressive base. Any criticism of their own actions, especially pointing out how their actions and votes are leading to outcomes which are in contradiction to what they claimed to stand for, is met at best by being frozen out and in worst cases spiteful behavior designed to ‘punish’ the progressives for daring to question their infinite wisdom.

If your allies are all suddenly long time far-right members who haven’t changed and like what you are doing - it may be time to look in the mirror and re-assess the direction you’ve taken.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:38 am
BSL’s use of “fiscal responsibility” as a slur limited to corporate use is offensive. Corporations can choose to be fiscally responsible or not. Their capital is raised voluntarily, and if they choose not to be fiscally irresponsible, they will lose their investors’ money and go out of business. A governmental body, however, has capital raised by taxes. They must be stewards of that money and use it in a fiscally responsible way. The alternative is a death spiral or municipal bankruptcy. Only the feds can print money, not state or local governments, so those entities MUST be fiscally responsible. BSL is a know-nothing demagogue who endangers both his own agenda and our collective well-being.

Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:57 am
What is Ald. BSL supposed to do? Hacks gotta eat. /s

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:59 am
Our politics have become so polarized…..even within parties.

Comment by James Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:59 am
People forget that even the Daley’s - Father and Son - did not start out as powerful as they wound up at the end. Early in both of their administrations they faced opposition from various Aldermen. Over time they worked with them and won them over by addressing their priorities. They may not have done everything those opponents wanted but it was enough to win them over to their side. Johnson hasnt done that.

Comment by low level Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:03 am
The current iteration of progressive politics in the city is destined to fail without property tax increase. On the whole the state simply isn’t as progressive as the city leaders need or want it to be when it comes to handing CPS a blank check. And given their track record who can blame them?

If Johnson wants to give the CTU what it wants he’ll have to get it from the residents of the city and suffer whatever consequences may come from that.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:06 am
Progressive polices often founder on the shoals of unrealistic expectations and economic reality. The elected school board is a bad idea (see CPS prior to 1995) and particularly bad if controlled by CTU.

Comment by Teve Demotte Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:13 am
==Johnson hasnt done that.==
Johnson hasn’t attempted that.
Johnson hasn’t considered that.
Johnson hasn’t conceived of that.
Johnson hasn’t a clue that is the way to get things done.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:20 am
@ Pundent

I think the state is progressive, but the revenue just isn’t there. Per capita, the IL state budget is the same as IN.

Comment by Chicago Blue Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:23 am
=apparently there’s some people who are confused about the power that I have=

Um, no. Apparently, it’s the mayor’s who’s confused.
Seems to think he’s the king.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:24 am
== If your allies are all suddenly long time far-right members who haven’t changed and like what you are doing - it may be time to look in the mirror and re-assess the direction you’ve taken. ==

Not familiar with the “nearby city council” you are referencing, but I think the issue in Chicago is different. We’ve witnessed abject failure after failure by a progressive mayor that is driven more by governing incompetence than ideology. that’s not only disappointing to some of his progressive allies, but also a potential threat to their political survival. Ald Andre Vasquez is a perfect example of this. One of the council’s most progressive members, but he represents a ward with a good chunk of more traditional center-left Dems who’ve lost all faith in Brandon. Vasquez is not going to allow the mayor’s implosion in popularity pull him into the political abyss, so he’s creating distance from Brandon every chance he gets. Doesn’t mean he’s now subscribing to the IPI newsletter, just means he wants to live to fight for his progressive ideals after the next election. Simple survival instincts.

Comment by Telly Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:34 am
“fabulously unpopular” made me chuckle

Comment by Near Westside Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:35 am
“We’ve gotten someone who is largely identified as progressive in that seat, and because of the job they’re doing, it might make it that much harder to see somebody in there again.”

It seems almost everyone involved is able to accurately read what is going on right now.

Except for Brandon Johnson.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:47 am
The state had to raise the income tax twice, starting with Quinn. He faced the consequence of losing to Rauner. Tough choices, as he would say. The city will have to come up with something to help itself, and may get some help.

It’s quite obvious how progressive mainstream Democrats are: SAFE-T act, minimum wage hike, marijuana legalization with the country’s first social equity features, abortion protection, union rights enshrined in the constitution. The far left is going to act like unserious children when it doesn’t get its way.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:55 am
BSL is a mirror image of MAGA. Progressive purity or you’re out.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:59 am
==I don’t understand some of them, how they can call themselves progressives when they are using very corporate language,==

This is really the issue in a nutshell. Some folks understand that they have a fiduciary duty to the city as a whole to govern responsibly while attempting to attain policy goals. Others, like BSL apparently, think that the concept of a fiduciary duty is anathema, and even considering it means you are a traitor to the cause. Can’t imagine why BSL wasn’t able to find support to be zoning chair.

Comment by Anon324 Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 10:03 am
- Well, let me start by explaining how fiscally irresponsible it will be to allow (cuts) in our Chicago Public Schools. -

Then take the hard step of raising property taxes. There’s nothing progressive about demanding others do the dirty work.

Comment by Excitable Boy Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 10:26 am
A whole cadre of dems were rushing to back the IPI’s own Vallas against Johnson.

That’s who emboldened the fringe.

Comment by SWSider Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:00 am
Johnson has this juxtaposition of don’t tell me how to do my job, with somebody come in here and clean up this mess.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:24 am
=BSL is a mirror image of MAGA. Progressive purity or you’re out.= , =Then take the hard step of raising property taxes. There’s nothing progressive about demanding others do the dirty work.=

BSL is worse than MAGA. He has no real answers or solutions, just sits back and blames Martinez for ‘lack of options’. MAGA at least have ideas and plans, no matter how crazy.

Comment by Jim Jimbo Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:25 am
Acknowledging fiscal irresponsibility seems to mean that you understand and are on the way to a cure. But then owning and bragging that fiscal irresponsibility is your belief system, then you have reached the point of an incurable disease.

Comment by Lurker Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:32 am
===Johnson has this juxtaposition of don’t tell me how to do my job, with somebody come in here and clean up this mess.===

That’s the quote of the month.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:46 am
Getting negative mail and a bunch of texts tying the CTU-endorsed candidate in my school board district to Johnson. Meanwhile, getting CTU-paid mail tying the charter schools-endorsed candidate to Trump. Clearly, Brandon and the Donald are the most unpopular political figures in my neighborhood. Warms my moderate heart.

Comment by Center-left Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:47 am
@ChicagoBlue - To get a true apples to apples comparison, you should include local spending - Illinois is $9,700 compared to Indiana at $7,000. Per capita collections are $7,300 in Illinois and $5,300 in Indiana.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:48 am
I still cannot believe Alderperson BSL couldn’t get 25 votes from his colleagues to become Zoning Committee chair with his people skills. Shocked. Truly shocked.

Comment by ChicagoBars Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:54 am
==Our politics have become so polarized==

Can’t think of a time the council has pushed back against the mayor. I hope it doesn’t devolve into a war or something. /s

Comment by Drury’s Missing Clock Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 11:57 am
The first campaign for the Chicago Board of Education has been so ugly that I am almost inclined to remember appointed board members more fondly. It is not enough that the Chicago Teachers’ Union elected the mayor and several alders, not the union wants to control the Board of Education too. The positions are unpaid for now, but I would not be surprised if some will demand salaries later.

Comment by Gravitas Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 12:40 pm
It is politically irresponsible to brand Progressivism as diametrically opposed to fiscal responsibility.

Our state budget must be fiscally balanced and morally balanced. Not only can we do both, we must do both. Even the most progressive voter does not wish to toil under a tax code that supports spurious inititiatives or wasteful spending. Every dollar spent on junkets or pet projects is a dollar that could have helped a recovering addict or a senior remain independent.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 1:03 pm
Does the City of Chicago even have legislative leaders in the General Assembly?

There was time when the legislators selected by the Chicago Mayor as the point people in Springfield were commonly known (Mayor Harold Washington had Carol Moseley Braun in the General Assembly to advocate for the city and push its agenda). Who did Johnson name to represent the city?

Comment by Gravitas Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 1:47 pm
Even better reason to vote for Kamala!
BJ needs to be a one-term mayor, he is already at Rauner level of bad leadership

- pragmatist - Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:30 am:

The only thing that can help Brandon Johnson, and I can’t believe I’m typing this, is a DJT win in November because whatever chaos a second term brings will create some terrain for Johnson and state Democrats to work together.

Comment by PP Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 1:57 pm
I think the lack of enough police has a negative effect in many areas of the city of Chicago. It was devastating to hear about honor roll students being gunned down as they step out of their school buildings at the end of the school day. I read that the CPD is about 1700 officers short, and are losing about 1 per day to retirement. What is the mayor going to do about the police officer shortage? He keeps saying Chicago is “overpoliced”.

Comment by Dupage Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 3:56 pm
To Thomas Paine’s point, that is the goal - fiscal and moral balance. Right now, unfortunately, we have neither. Our Mayor chooses to remind us poor minions (and remember that 78% of us minions didn’t select him the first go-around) that He has been put in charge, that He knows best, and nobody can tell Him what He can’t do. Unfortunately, what he doesn’t get is that governing involves communication, accommodation, conciliation, and partnership with various entities to move the city forward. BrandJo’s “burn the boats” approach of my way or the highway - and that’s exactly what comes out in BSL’s comments as well - not only is dangerous for him politically (one-term good sir), but also frankly puts the city in a very precarious financial situation.
Springfield is not interested in bailing out CPS or the CTU. Springfield - and our Governor - has done a very good job of putting Illinois on more sound and solid footing. I can say that as a moderate R who supports the work Pritzker is doing. But as someone who lives and works in this city, owns a home in it, and sees the continually growing challenges we face in it, we sadly have many more questions than answers right now. And equally unfortunate, if you ask the Mayor and it’s not one that he can answer via one of his 15-20 canned responses, all we get is anger, hostility and redirection toward us as to why we’re so wrong and bad. Sadly, that just reminds me of one of the presidential candidates on the ballot.

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 4:11 pm
“MAGA at least have ideas and plans, no matter how crazy.”

“Say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it’s an ethos.” — Walter Sobchak, THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998)

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 7:06 pm
I finally noticed the anti-Zaccor mailer also accused her of … raising taxes.

Basically nobody wants to raise property taxes, ever. This is bigger than Brandon Johnson, to be fair.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 8:45 pm
===This is bigger than Brandon Johnson===

If it was, then that would’ve been the prime focus.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 22, 24 @ 9:23 pm