Mayor Johnson pushes his agenda in Springfield
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Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Mayor Brandon Johnson headed down state this week to seek funding for the city's shelter system and Chicago Public School students with special needs.
Why it matters: His agenda, which included requests for a revived cell phone tax and an extension of a 911 surcharge, is a step down from the massive resources he sought during last spring's Springfield trip — including money for a Bears stadium and $1 billion "owed" to CPS under the state funding formula.
Context: These are different times. The city and state are facing potential federal funding losses under multiple executive orders from the Trump administration.
- Plus, tension between Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker re-emerged last week when Pritzker suggested Johnson's requests are late, noting that the General Assembly has been working on budget priorities for several months.
- Others say that Johnson has not forged the kind of Springfield relationships needed for maximum returns to the city.
Yes, but: Johnson pushed back on the criticism.
What they're saying: "I bear no tension against anyone. I don't," Johnson said, according to the Tribune. "If anyone believes that politicians all sit around thinking how we can be each other's godchildren's parents, that's not reality. Just because you have disagreement, doesn't mean that that's an obstacle. That's called democracy."
Between the lines: Johnson's office says his requests for shelters and CPS funding are just "immediate priorities."
- Long term, he's working to secure more state money for public transportation and education as well as "potential progressive revenue options," his office says.
- His chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas (a former state senator), and his finance team joined him in Springfield for "additional meetings with lawmakers."
While in the Springfield area, Johnson cut the ribbon on the Double Black Diamond solar plant, the largest solar facility east of the Mississippi.
- City officials say the plant provides 70% of the power used by City of Chicago operations and goes a long way to helping the city fulfill its pledge to become one of the largest American cities to source 100% of its power for its operations from renewable energy.
What we're watching: How the General Assembly responds to Chicago's requests as it hammers out a budget by May 31.