Three recently fired city leaders are painting a picture of a hostile or retaliatory environment in the office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his top appointees.

Why it matters: Their accusations, taken together, suggest a pattern that Johnson's office has yet to fully address.

Axios has repeatedly asked Johnson's office for comment on the claims but received no response.

Catch up quick: The firings are linked by claims of retaliation — for disagreement with top mayoral appointees, complaints against them, or cooperating with investigations.

Garien Gatewood, the former deputy mayor for community safety, was fired on March 19 by Johnson's top aide, Jason Lee, and chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas.

• Gatewood says this happened after he filed a complaint with the inspector general in October.
• At a Tuesday press conference, Johnson said he was unaware of the IG complaint before he fired Gatewood.

Manny Whitfield, the city's director of violence prevention who worked closely with Gatewood on successful violence reduction campaigns, was also fired on March 19. He says he was dismissed after putting an employee close to the mayor on probation.

Kim Grigsby, former deputy commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, filed a March 20 lawsuit against the city and Johnson's pick for DCASE chief, saying she was fired after she was called to testify in an IG investigation against senior leaders.

What we're watching: If and when results of the reported IG investigations bear out the claims by these former employees.

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Anyone who's dodged an e-bike or scooter whizzing past them may not be surprised that more two-wheeled vehicles are transporting goods to your door.

The big picture: The number of DoorDash deliveries on two wheels (bikes, e-bikes, scooters, etc.) in the U.S. and Canada grew nearly four times faster than those using cars between 2024 and 2025, per the company's 2026 Two-Wheeled Progress Report.

• 34% of DoorDash deliveries in Chicago happened on two wheels.

Why it matters: Bikes are typically cleaner and quieter than cars and offer a lower cost of entry into the delivery game.

State of play: Two-wheeled dashers can travel more efficiently and make more money than those using cars, DoorDash says.

Plus, increasing gas prices can cut into dashers' bottom line.

• DoorDash did announce a new relief program this week that gives drivers cash back on gas when using a company Visa card.

What we're watching: Chicago, like many cities, is trying to better integrate and define e-bikes and e-motos, which can often operate at much higher speeds than their conventional counterparts.

• In fact, a bill in the Illinois House removes low-speed electric two-wheel vehicles with acceleration or delay from the definition of bicycle.
• DoorDash agrees with moving these vehicles onto roadways, according to the report.

⚾️ The Cubs lost their season opener to the Washington Nationals 10-4. Star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered two hits and two RBIs, while pitcher Matthew Boyd had a promising start but struggled starting in the 4th inning. (Sun-Times)

🏀 The Fighting Illini had a good night, beating University of Houston 65-55 to advance to the Elite Eight in the men's NCAA tournament. (Fox 32)

🏛️ The Chicago Board of Education is set to vote next week on Macquline King as head of CPS after she served as interim CEO since last year. (WTTW)

👋🏻 Hi, it's Carrie!

When my husband asked me what "Theater of the Mind" was before we went Wednesday, I told him I didn't really know, despite previewing its arrival.

• Now that I've seen it, I still don't quite know, and that's a good thing.

Flashback: The Goodman Theatre first teased the immersive theatrical experience more than a year ago, stirring excitement with the revelation that David Byrne, of Talking Heads and "American Utopia," was the brain behind the project.

What to expect: Human interaction. Audience members have to stow bags and smart devices in lockers, forcing face-to-face interaction with others — no texting or capturing Instagrammable moments.

• That intimacy is part of the experience; each person becomes a character in a story that unfolds over 75 minutes with no intermission.
• Your story guide is "David," not Byrne himself, but definitely David Byrne-infused.

State of play: "David" challenges the audience to test perceptions of reality, guiding each person through new ways of seeing, hearing and tasting.

• A story of memory, family, love, fear, anger and empathy unfolds around the interactive activities. It's not just playtime — you will also think and feel.

If you go: "Theater of the Mind" runs through July 12 at the Reid Murdoch building, but Byrne stressed this week that he wants to make it permanent.

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Legendary anchorman and "voice of God" Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he's retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on "Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!"

• His last show is May 23.
• In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to "More writing. More reading. More time on the land."

What's happening: As Kurtis dives into retirement, we asked him to share his ideal day in his longtime home of Chicago.

🌅 Morning activity: "Taking sunrise photos on the lake followed by a riverwalk stroll."

🥞 Breakfast: "Sitting down to a short stack of lemon ricotta pancakes with blackberries and lemon syrup – with a glass of mango, orange & pineapple nectar served up at Beatrix River North."

🏞️ Evening activity: "Taking a club car ride with my wife, Donna, around our entire property – making notes and taking photos along the way."

🍒 Dinner: "There is nothing better than a dinner with a good friend who happens to be one of Chicago's premier chefs and the owner of Prairie Grass Cafe, Sarah Stegner.

I will definitely go for the filet of beef with red wine sauce & shallot-herb butter and a side of creamy dreamy mashed potatoes and a big slice of Mom's cherry pie."

More of Kurtis' best day