“In Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, the most recent mayoral elections pitched normie police-friendly Democrats against woke progressive Democrats. Chicago’s Paul Vallas was the most popular* of the normies, raking in 47.8% of the votes, and Republicans should pay attention to his (almost) winning coalition.”

Addressing the neighbors’ opposition to housing migrants at South Shore High School, the mayor said, “It’s no secret that the Black community in this city has suffered under austerity budgets that have caused true economic disparity, and we are in a position now to bring communities together, and we have to do both. We have to make sure that we take care of residents and family members who are here while also making sure that families that wish to call the city of Chicago their home, that they

Hope Church in the Pilsen neighborhood is one of two churches in the area approved by the city to serve as a temporary shelter for migrants. 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez said Arturo Velasquez Institute and the former Komensky School are also being considered, while 8th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato said Wright College in his ward is being considered to house migrants.

Ted Dabrowski of Wirepoints told The Center Square that Johnson is wasting no time getting his ideas in place. “I think we are going to see that overall he is going to put in these policies that he has promised, and when you take a look at his community safety program, for example, and there you see some of the broader rhetoric of how to approach the problem, not through stronger policing and ensuring that criminals are criminals, but more of a softer pitch that he has proposed.”

“Brandon Johnson’s response to a chaotic three-day period in April gives us a glimpse over how he intends to govern Chicago, and it is not a pretty sight…(I)t reveals his contention crime can only be defeated by redefining the word itself and reengineering the city’s approach to crime and punishment… Last, and critically important, Johnson’s refusal to condemn criminal behavior is a tacit admission he will not use the might of office to remind residents of their obligation to obey Chicago Police and the law.”

Kimberly Neely Du Buclet, a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and former state house appointee for the 26th District, was again appointed to the legislature. Neely Du Buclet’s selection followed Lemont Robinson’s resignation after being elected alderman of the 4th Ward.

Martin Bradley, an Auburn Gresham resident and former teacher, said Khalid Attaf’s account, “Pranks by Khalid Attaf,” is an example of people “dunking” on the South Side — a trend that is becoming more popular as Chicago’s reputation is dragged through the mud by national politicians and cable

“This was a totally avoidable situation,” Lopez said. “Had the city council, had the mayor chosen to act and instead of gaslighting everyone at every turn as opposed to pointing fingers at Greg Abbott or others- Look, Lori Lightfoot, her socialist enablers, they all said make this an unchecked, welcoming city. Somebody took us up on that offer, and now we are falling behind in what we said was our ideals in this city. And if we had planned and used our resources better, we wouldn’t be in the midst of a humanitarian crisis now.”

“The main difference between Johnson and his predecessors will not be in the content of his policies, but in his more direct reliance on and integration of the Democratic Socialists of America and union officialdom into the institutions of the state.”

Shortly before Monday’s inaugural ceremony, there was breaking news from one of Johnson’s top new tax targets: Chicago financial giant CME Group CEO Terry Duffy said that CME Group has now sold all of its property in Chicago and in Illinois. “In our leases, we have a language in there that says if there’s something that’s ill-conceived from the city or the state, that our leases are null and void. We’re in a very strong position. If we had to leave, we could leave,” said Duffy.

“Given that Illinois has Pritzker in the governor’s office, and an incoming Chicago mayor in Johnson who was bankrolled by the Chicago Teachers Union, serious progress may be too much to hope for…Chicago, at least, has an out. If nothing changes to secure the pension funds, Chicago in theory could dump at least some of its obligations by filing for bankruptcy, as Detroit did a decade ago.”