Mayor Brandon Johnson wouldn’t give himself a grade on his first year in office when the City Cast Chicago podcast asked. That’s why we’re jumping in with our own grades for the former teacher — and asking you to do the same.
CTA: C-
We’ll be the first to say we don’t envy anyone who had to inherit the city’s transit agency in the wake of the pandemic. But Chicago’s public transportation recovery lags behind other big cities like Washington D.C. and Boston: Chicago rail service has been cut by 22% and bus service by 7% between 2019 and 2023, according to a recent WGN analysis.
Persistent issues have prompted calls to fire CTA head Dorval Carter — even Gov. JB Pritzker has suggested leadership changes at CTA. But Johnson says he doesn’t discuss personnel decisions publicly.
There has been some progress: Johnson counters that ridership and hiring are up, and violent crime on the city’s buses and trains is down. Plus, we dig the agency’s lofty goals.
Migrants: D
More than 41,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August 2022, many of whom came to the city via buses from Texas.
Johnson has called for federal assistance in resettling asylum-seekers and has tried to coordinate local services (e.g., hiring the city’s first chief homelessness officer).
But we can’t ignore all the problems at city shelters. Asylum-seekers have shared stories of rotting food, filth, and harassment. A 5-year-old staying at the city’s largest shelter died in December of sepsis. Plus, shifting deadlines to leave shelters and neighborhood resistance have created chaotic conditions for new arrivals.
Mayor Brandon Johnson with reporters March 28. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune / Getty)
Youth: B
Johnson added an extra $76 million in this year’s budget to expand youth employment opportunities, which means the city will employ up to 28,000 young people this summer. The mayor also says he grew his youth commission.
But as for whether the downtown curfew will remain, Johnson says he is still reviewing the policy enacted under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
“Even once you lift it, if that is something that we do, it doesn't solve the bigger issue,” Johnson said, “Where do young people go?”
Bears: ?
The new $4.7 billion lakefront stadium proposal is so fresh, we can’t give it a grade yet. Johnson says much of the cost will be covered by tourist dollars and the Bears. But the final price tag for taxpayers would probably end up being a lot higher between infrastructure improvements and other debt costs. The plan also needs to be approved in Springfield, which is looking like a high bar to clear.
Should we consider some extra credit for keeping the Bears in Chicago?
