Chicago City Wire

Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel sent a message of optimism to Brandon Johnson as he was set to be sworn into office as the city’s 57th mayor on May 15. 

“From a past mayor to our new mayor, I want to congratulate Brandon Johnson on his accomplishment today, and wish him and his family the very best for what he will accomplish for all of us over the next four years,” Emmanuel said in a video on Twitter from Tokyo, Japan. “Mayor Johnson understands every Chicagoan in every neighborhood wants strong schools, safe streets, and the opportunity to shape our city's story – and its future.” 

He also congratulated Chicagoans and told them that today is a day of "transition and transformation" and of "hope and history." Emanuel said Johnson knows what is best for the city and its people. 

"He knows young people deserve a choice and a chance – most importantly, to go to school thinking of their studies, not their safety,” Emanuel added. “He sees the resident with limited income but unlimited potential. He believes the challenges facing Chicago are no match for the character of the people of Chicago.”

Emanuel expressed his support to Johnson. 

“Mayor Johnson, I'm rooting hard for your success,” he said. 

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s last day in office on May 14 included the signing of several last-minute executive orders that would create burdens on the Johnson administration. Included in those orders was $641.5 million to give to low-income residents for utilities, creating the “Office of New Americans” as well continue her LaSalle Street redevelopment efforts, Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Johnson was heavily supported by labor unions, the Chicago Teachers Union in particular, which took out a special line on members' dues specifically for Johnson’s campaign. Johnson formerly served as a lobbyist for the CTU. He plans on taxing the city’s wealthier residents to raise funds for his “Better Chicago Agenda. 

“While Johnson said he doesn’t believe raising these taxes will drive businesses and residents from Chicago, a recent survey found 34% of Chicagoans would leave the city if given the opportunity, citing taxes and affordability as their No. 2 concern behind crime. That ignores six major companies that already left in the past year,” Illinois Policy writes of Johnson’s election.

Other items of immediate interest for the Johnson administration outside raising taxes include allowing noncitizens to vote in school board elections, protecting abortion rights and “ending misgendering in official records.”