Embattled Chicago school board president resigns
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Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson (center) at a press conference to announce new school board nominees last month. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Chicago's brand new school board president Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson resigned Thursday in the wake of revelations about controversial social media posts over the last year.
Why it matters: The abrupt resignation, just days after Johnson was appointed to lead the board by Mayor Brandon Johnson, has triggered more chaos in the nation's fourth largest school district at a time when families are seeking stability.
- Friday would have been Johnson's first meeting presiding over the board.
Catch up quick: Earlier this week Jewish Insider published a story detailing Johnson's "antisemitic" posts related to the Hamas-Israel war on his Facebook page.
- By Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker, 40 alders and several Jewish leaders had all issued calls for Johnson — no relation to the mayor — to step down.
- After Johnson issued an apology Wednesday, the mayor said "I'm confident in the ability of our collective communities to come together … and appreciate Reverend Johnson and his apology and the work he's going to do to atone for his honor."
Zoom in: Further examinations of Johnson's accounts also reportedly turned up posts promoting the false theory that September 11 was an inside job and sexist comments.
What they're saying: "Reverend Mitchell Johnson's statements were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing. I want to be clear: antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable," the mayor said in a Thursday statement.
- "It has become clear that his continued participation in the BOE would hinder the important work we need to accomplish for our schools."
Flashback: Mayor Johnson named his new board nominees last month, just days after his entire board resigned.
- In response, 41 alders scheduled a hearing to learn more about the nominees and asked the mayor to encourage them to attend. The mayor told Axios he would not ask them to attend.
What's next: Johnson says his office "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."