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* Gov. JB Pritzker…
Any person charged with the stewardship of the Chicago Public School Board must exemplify focused, inclusive, and steady leadership. The views expressed in the current Chair’s posts – antisemitism, misogyny, fringe conspiracy theories – very clearly do not meet that standard. We owe it to our students, families, and teachers to provide the highest quality education, and that begins at the top by setting a positive example of kindness and inclusivity. Given that he has failed to live up to these values, I believe it is in the best interest of our schools and our children for the Chair to resign.
…Adding… He gone…
Breaking: Chicago’s new Board of Education president is resigning just seven days after he was sworn into office.
More to come.
— Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) October 31, 2024
From the story…
Amid a wave of backlash over troubling social media posts that were criticized as antisemitic, misogynistic and conspiratorial, Chicago’s new Board of Education president is resigning at the request of Mayor Brandon Johnson just seven days after he was sworn into office.
…Adding… From the mayor…
Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement today, requesting the resignation of Chicago School Board of Education (BOE).
“Today, I asked Chicago School Board of Education (BOE) President Reverend Mitchell Johnson for his resignation, and he resigned, effective immediately. Reverend Mitchell Johnson’s statements were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing. I want to be clear: antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable.
My administration is committed to upholding the mission of transforming our public education system. It has become clear that his continued participation in the BOE would hinder the important work we need to accomplish for our schools.
We will proceed promptly to identify a qualified individual who shares our dedication to educational excellence and will serve with an unwavering commitment to the values we hold dear. I remain steadfast in my commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that every child in Chicago has access to the quality education they deserve. Protecting and empowering the students in Chicago Public Schools remains our North Star.
The Board of Education meeting on Friday will proceed as planned under the current BOE bylaws.”
As Isabel just noted to me, this tone is far different from yesterday’s.
* Let’s look at some background from yesterday…
* Missing from that story’s context is incendiary stuff we already knew, like this…
* Also missing was stuff most of us didn’t know about yesterday…
* His disbarment is detailed here…
During Johnson’s representation of Chrapko, Chrapko filed for personal bankruptcy. The trustee in bankruptcy informed Johnson that Chrapko could no longer honor his agreement with Johnson for hourly fees, and could pay for Johnson’s services only on a strict contingency basis. Johnson agreed to modify his fee agreement with Chrapko accordingly. Yet, despite this, Johnson later demanded an additional $1,000 from Chrapko. Johnson told Chrapko that “there were ways around the bankruptcy,” and instructed Chrapko to have a third party issue a check to Johnson on his behalf. Chrapko complied with Johnson’s demand, fearing that Johnson would not otherwise pursue his lawsuit.
* ABC7…
The majority of Chicago City Council members are asking for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s brand new, hand-picked school board president to step down after a Jewish publication revealed dozens of antisemitic and anti-Israel posts on his Facebook page. […]
Rev. Johnson released a lengthy apology to the Jewish community writing, in part, “The remarks I posted were reactive and insensitive, and I am deeply sorry for not being more precise and deliberate in my comments posted last year. Since then, I have asked for and received feedback from my Jewish friends and colleagues, who helped me be more thoughtful in the way I address these sensitive matters.”
For now, Mayor Brandon Johnson seems to be standing by his pick.
“These are not sentiments that i subscribe to and i do appreciate Rev. Johnson being willing to be held accountable for statements that he has made that have caused harm,” Mayor Johnson said.
…Adding… The pile-on is gonna be huge…
WGN…
A spokesperson for Mayor Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the newly unearthed posts about 9/11 and women.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:31 pm
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I don’t know how the Sun Times and WBEZ can continue to be ok with the blatant stenography under the thin veneer of objective news that’s happening under their masthead. Karp and Issa aren’t even trying to hide it.
Comment by *Ducks* Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:35 pm
==These are not sentiments that i subscribe to==
Then maybe don’t appoint him to this position. You should have known about them and if you did and still appointed him then you do in fact indicate you are fine with his posts.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:36 pm
Good on Gov. I know he doesn’t have to say anything, but we need to have one leader with a backbone in this state.
Comment by blues Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:37 pm
Canceled my Sun Times subscription today. Their coverage of DNC was so terrible (it legit felt like they were rooting for riots) I was going to do it then but forgot.
Comment by Beep booop Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:39 pm
JB may be the only guy who can save the city and its schools from da mayor and CTU. , they will shortly pull the race card I assume
Comment by Peaky Blinders Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:42 pm
I say don’t let the door hit eitherJohnson on the way out, and the sooner, the better.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:42 pm
Mr. Johnson did not just tell his client to ignore bankruptcy court, he did not do any work on Mr. Chrapko’s case. Mr. Johnson did not respond to discovery then did not respond to a motion for summary judgment. When Ohio’s ARDC came calling, he did not respond to them either. This is a sick joke. Mayor Johnson should resign too.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:45 pm
There’s more to this story too. Matter of time.
Comment by Beep booop Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:46 pm
The Ohio Bar determined that the Rev. (did he pick up this title after he lost his law license?) can not be entrusted with his clients’ funds. So the Mayor makes him President of a School Board that is entrusted with approving how hundreds of millions of tax dollars are spent?
Granted, his sole qualification for the position is that he will do whatever the Mayor wants him to do, and the Mayor had just a weekend to come up with someone, but this is who he came up with? How much of this is due to the Mayor’s lack of judgment, and how much of it that no self respecting person would accept such a role? Does the Mayor not have Roland Burris’ phone number?
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:47 pm
The Mayor needs to be held accountable for handpicking a President that is an antisemitic and misogynist.
Comment by Two Left Feet Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:55 pm
As more information comes out, you wonder if they did any background checks on this guy. The hits keep coming, and I suspect they are not yet done. It makes you wonder how his name came up in the first place. Does he have some sort of CTU relationship? Do they not have anyone looking at socials?
I’m guessing he is going to step down on Friday afternoon, but man, this is a bad look for a Mayor who didn’t need any help looking bad. At this rate, he is going to start taking heat off of the Mayor of Dolton.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 12:57 pm
If the mayor associates with a man like this to the point where he believes he should lead, then I think people need to be questioning if the mayor should stay.
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:16 pm
Maybe the mayor should agree to city council approval of his school board appointments. The alders might save Brandon from himself.
Comment by Thomas Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:17 pm
Are the 2 Johnson’s by any chance related?
Comment by Dupage Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:17 pm
Does Kelly Cassidy regret endorsing Brandon Johnson for mayor?
Comment by Blame Richard Nixon Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:18 pm
I predict Brandon Johnson will be the next person hired by the “Master’s Class” series of videos.
….I’m Brandon Johnson, if you want to learn the art of incompetence….pull up a chair…it’s time to learn…
Comment by Joe Biden Playing Golf Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:23 pm
Here’s the question: does he step down before the school board meeting tomorrow morning or does he wait in order to fire Martinez/approve the $300 million loan?
Comment by uialum Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:23 pm
JB’s resignation suggestion is appropriate. It’s too bad he didn’t include MBJ’s name as well.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:24 pm
CST/WBEZ is only media outlet calling his posts “criticized as antisemitic.” Even Block Club (via Chalkbeat) is labeling them as antisemitic.
To say you provide “plenty of context,” then ignore the context about “Jewish colleagues being drunk with Israeli power” is one quick way to raise an eyebrow.
Comment by Jurist Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:24 pm
I often wonder why people with questionable or not “normal “ backgrounds run for office or take a high profile position. Is it that they think prior arrests,disbarments, and extreme social media presence are just normal and no big deal?
You would think people would realize someone will check their background
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:24 pm
Livin’ on antisemitism, misogyny and fringe conspiracy theories…all a friend can say is, “Ain’t it a shame?”
Comment by Dotnonymous x Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:25 pm
“Does the Mayor not have Roland Burris’ phone number?” - This should go on the all-time best comment list, HF
Comment by Heatwave Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:28 pm
=So the Mayor makes him President of a School Board that is entrusted with approving how hundreds of millions of tax dollars are spent?=
Billions of tax dollars. Nine Billion plus.
If there was any doubt at this point as to whether or not Brandon Johnson was up to the job as mayor of Chicago it should be completely resolved. He clearly is not up to the task. As much as I hate to say it, Vallas who is a cook might have actually done a better job. He has no clue and less integrity, if he had any he would resign. The other Johnson should be removed immediately and so should anyone involved in his appointment process.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:34 pm
Can my mayor do anything right? Once again, thank you JB!
Comment by levivotedforjudy Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:35 pm
This is the first time I regret not voting for Vallas. Even incompetent leaders/administrations know that when something like this breaks, just pull the plug and hope the issues fades away. Not MBJ. Nope.
We actually found someone more obstinate and stubborn that Lightfoot.
Comment by ElTacoBandito Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:43 pm
What’s with all the Sun-Times hate in this thread? I don’t see any Sun-Times articles in this post…unless I’m missing something?
Comment by Lakeview Looker Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:46 pm
===unless I’m missing something? ===
LOLOL
You took all the time to write that comment and missed the first tweet displayed in the post?
Maybe it’s time for a nap.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:52 pm
I’m sure that if you checked the social media histories of the other appointed candidates for school board, you would find similar posts. The only difference is that Rev. Johnson did not delete his poats like some of the others have.
These are not professional educators or education specialists, these are activists. They know Johnson through his ties to community activist work. Their political views on subjects like Israel, American involvement in the world, and the taxation likely align with Rev. Johnson.
Also, mayor johnson’s views likely align with his as well. The fact he gave an wxclusive interview to the mayor’s water carriers at the Sun Times is not surprising. Heather Cherone must be upset she wasnt included and will have to try harder not to criticize the mayor moving forward.
Comment by cube Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:54 pm
== The Mayor needs to be held accountable for handpicking a President that is an antisemitic and misogynist. ==
He will be.
Comment by Northsider Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:54 pm
Re: Sarah Karp: When Stacy Davis Gates got caught sending her kid to a private high school, she did a softball interview with Sarah Karp. https://www.wbez.org/education/2023/09/07/ctu-president-is-sending-her-son-to-private-school-calling-it-a-result-of-unfair-choices-for-south-side-families
Was about as creampuff as it gets.
Comment by Old IL Dude Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 1:56 pm
===You took all the time to write that comment and missed the first tweet displayed in the post?===
You mean the tiny little URL in the picture on the screenshotted tweet you put in the blog? Don’t be rude, Rich.
That being said, I would love to take a nap.
Comment by Lakeview Looker Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:03 pm
The transit board revrund was bragging about how real men use cars not transit. And this board was announced in a church with well known anti gay messages. These are his people, yikes.
Comment by 44 Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:04 pm
Just stepped down per CST
Comment by Stu Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:06 pm
===You mean the tiny little URL===
I’m half blind and I could see it.
Point being, before you go off on other commenters here, take some time to look at the post.
Naps are also very good.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:06 pm
One failure after another for Johnson. Maybe he should think about resigning and letting someone who knows how to run the 3rd largest city in the country run it.
Comment by Unionman Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:08 pm
If City Hall had a functioning IGA without its own questionable record on antisemitism, it might have received a call from Gov’s office suggesting MBJ pull the plug before the Governor makes a statement.
But then, of course, we wouldn’t have had this appointment in the first place.
This broken relationship is horrible for CPS students and families.
Comment by Phineas Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:08 pm
With regards to the lack of vetting of Reverend Johnson or any of these other recent appointments we should not be surprised. They were hired to carry out the Mayor’s mission. Their history and prior experiences were essentially irrelevant. We should ask ourselves what type of individual(s) would so willingly accept this responsibility given the circumstances.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:09 pm
Another scalp for our corporate overlords.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:09 pm
== Another scalp for our corporate overlords. ==
It’s easy to provide scalps to corporate overlords when those scalps belong to disbarred lawyers who, like thoughts about why it is bad for women to earn their money, are picked to lead an organization with a majority of female employees.
At this point, the Mayor makes the Yankees look like they are all Gold Glove winners in the 5th inning of a game.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:15 pm
OneMan, I’m pretty sure that was snark.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:18 pm
===You mean the tiny little URL in the picture on the screenshotted tweet you put in the blog?===
Pretty sure that’s called source material. And then the following bit that outlines more incendiary stuff that said SunTimes didn’t acknowledge.
Rich doesn’t spoon feed us but he also doesn’t hide the ball. Take some responsibility for your own education.
Comment by Leslie K Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:19 pm
He didn’t even last a whole Scaramucci.
Comment by DS Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:20 pm
== Another scalp for our corporate overlords.==
Huh? What does this have to do with corporate overlords?
This is a failure due 100% to 2 activists (Johnson and Johnson) who do not fully appreciate the realities outside of their bubbles.
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:21 pm
=== letting someone who knows how to run===
And who might that be?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:24 pm
One Johnson down, one to go.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:27 pm
“Today was basically an up. I feel good about it,” Mayor Johnson said.
Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:28 pm
Interesting that the Mayor specifically mentions the antisemitism stuff in the statement. Wasn’t he fine with those comments last night, since he apologized?
Comment by Hail Zorp Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:28 pm
He he “DS.” Good one.
Comment by 44 Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:33 pm
===I’m pretty sure that was snark.===
Yes. It was all disqualifying, but the last revelation would have been considered misogyny in the 19th century.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:34 pm
I still can’t believe they didn’t know about this stuff. They can’t possibly have been that bad at vetting these people and if they were then this is just one more example of how inept Johnson’s administration is.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:37 pm
=And who might that be?=
A fair and challenging question. I also think the mayor should resign, but who would “run” the city at that point becomes the issue. I confess that 1) I do not know the order of succession for the mayor’s office 2) have absolutely no clue if any of those people would be even remotely more competent and the last thing I would like to see is the situation in our largest population center and the state’s economic power plant get worse.
So a bit of a self-own on my part. Would Rahm step in for a bit (of course not)? I am mostly kidding.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:41 pm
Seems like the horseshoe theory strikes again.
Comment by GoneFishing Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:48 pm
I’m curious to see what the “Rev’s’” social media posts will look like in a month. lol.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:53 pm
The sun times article on his resignation includes more of the details of his antisemitic (or, as the sun times calls it “criticized as antisemitic”) posts and his misoginistic/conspiratorial posts.
in other words, once the mayor fired him it was ok for sarah and nader to post all the details, thus supporting the mayor’s decision. when the decision was made NOT to fire him, they didnt post those other details that might make the mayor look bad.
Comment by cube Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:57 pm
I bet if the Mayor asked he could get Minister Farrakhan. He is a religious person that seems to be the main qualification
Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 2:58 pm
Maybe we should choose the school board the same way we pick a jury: you get a letter and report for duty. I suspect that a random Chicagoan would have much less baggage.
Comment by Formerly Unemployed Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:10 pm
Geez, the CTU really didn’t do their homework.
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:16 pm
Ok. Now Gov involved with Chicago School Board. Wonder what next move will be
Comment by jolietj Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:23 pm
Besides the CTU is there any other group the Chicago mayor has on his side at this point? Going into a huge budget deficit. No teacher contract, playing fruit basket upset with the CPS Board, and not making sure he can get support from the State, not a great to lead the great city of Chicago.
This is the big leagues, Mr. Mayor. It’s time to understand, that your hand is not that good, and a lot of people here have been playing it longer and better than you are.
Oh, and the strength and leadersip of the Democratic party in Illinois is no longer in the city limits, and you have done a great job of giving them a reason not to take your call.
Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:30 pm
= I do not know the order of succession for the mayor’s office =
There’s a vice-mayor who serves as interim mayor until the City Council chooses one of its own to be acting mayor or the term expires. Depending on how much time is left in the term, there may be a special election.
Comment by JoanP Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:35 pm
With the former and recent missteps by Brandon Johnson, he reveals that he is not prepared to to be the chief executive of the third largest city in the US.
MBJ’s decisions and the negative publicity will follow him forever.
Thankfully, JB Pritzker is the voice of reason.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 3:56 pm
Thank you JoanP.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 4:00 pm
= I do not know the order of succession for the mayor’s office =
The Vice Mayor for the City is Alderman Walter Burnett. I do not know if Burnett would be a successful mayor, but he absolutely has better political instincts and conducts himself with greater professionalism than Johnson. He would be an improvement.
Comment by RPOne Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 4:19 pm
Hate to say it, but I told ya so.
It was just a matter of time.
Surprised it took this long.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 5:26 pm
Just heard the TV news refer to the bigoted social media posts as “many believe” the comments to be hateful and antisemitic. They are hateful and antisemitic, no way the news should have minimized this. Many believe in the tweets, and their views are just as valid? The station wants to be careful to not offend bigots? No wonder many no longer trust certain corporate news media.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 6:12 pm
In case you’re wondering if there’s a downside to appointing a flunky, see above story and comments….whew what a complete and utter failure on so many levels. The fallout has only just begun. Hopefully, this won’t hurt other Democratic candidates.
Comment by Harriet Thursday, Oct 31, 24 @ 6:23 pm