Chicago City Wire

Bloomberg's labor reporter Ian Kullgren on Friday said in a social media post that a woman staffer of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shoved him as he attempted to ask questions.  

Johnson, in a social media post, accused the reporter of making false claims and physically accosting one of his "senior aides."

On Friday Mayor Johnson attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington D.C., where Kullgren, who covers unions, workers & the labor economy, is based.

"A staffer for @ChicagosMayor just physically shoved me for trying to ask the mayor a question. 1st time in 15 years as a reporter I’ve had anything like this happen. Unbelievable.," Kullgren posted on X at 10:16 a.m. Friday.

Kullgren wrote on X, that he did not get the staffer's name. He also wrote, "I dont fight women."

Mayor Johnson's administration responded to Kullgren's allegations, calling them false claims and accusing the reporter of physically accosting a senior mayoral aide.

"This morning, following an event in Washington D.C. with union and community allies from across the country, one of our senior aides was physically accosted by a reporter, who elbowed and shoved her after being politely told three times our team was departing for another event," Johnson posted on X.

"My administration does not condone physical assaults on staff members of any kind. What is also not acceptable, under any circumstances, is elbowing a woman half your size in the chest and then falsely claiming that you were the victim. We believe in a collegial and productive working relationship with the press and will continue to strive for that. We will not, however, ever tolerate disrespect and physical attacks on women."

Some Chicago-based journalists wrote social media posts in support of Kullgren.

"Out her, and write about it," Wirepoints editor Mark Glennon wrote on X

Ald. Ray Lopez called for Johnson's staff member to be arrested.

"Why isn’t that staff member arrested? These folks are unhinged & wont stop!" Lopez wrote on X.