Chicago City Wire

As Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson puts the finishing touches on his May 15 inauguration at the University of Illinois' Credit Union 1 Arena, he is keeping the people who voted for him at the top of his mind.

The 10:30 a.m. swearing-in ceremony will be followed by an open house at City Hall starting at 2 p.m., a recent report from the Chicago Tribune said.

“This was always a movement of, by, and for the people, and that’s the spirit we’re going to bring to inauguration day,” Johnson said in a news release, according to the Tribune. “I want every single Chicagoan to feel that together, we’re writing a new chapter for our city, because we are. The goal of this inauguration is to be as collaborative and inclusive as possible, because that will be the goal of our government in City Hall.”

Plans are underway for festivities marking Johnson's ascension to the fifth floor of City Hall during the weekend leading up to his inauguration, the Tribune said. Information on how people can get tickets for the inauguration itself can be found on Johnson's website.

Johnson, who knocked off challenger Paul Vallas in an April 4 runoff election to replace outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has tabbed an inaugural committee that includes civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson; Gigi Pritzker, film producer and cousin of Gov. JB Pritzker; state Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago); Linda Johnson Rice, former chairwoman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Co. and current president of the Chicago Library Board; and 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez; the Tribune reported.

Johnson served one term as Cook County Commissioner and was also an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, the Tribune said. His progressive platform and promise to bring major changes to City government helped him to become Chicago's 57th mayor.