Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday played a pivotal role in the City Council's decision to call for an "immediate" ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza. Johnson cast the deciding vote, breaking a 23-23 tie on a resolution sponsored by Alderpersons Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez (33rd) and Daniel La Spata (1st). The resolution, which demands an immediate ceasefire, U.S.-sponsored humanitarian aid for Gaza, and the release of all hostages, was met with heated debate and public disapproval.

"I will exercise my vote and my right and I vote, ‘Aye,'" Johnson stated.

During the testimony of Ald. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the City Council, Johnson cleared the City Hall chambers as protestors refused to maintain decorum. Silverstein criticized the resolution for its one-sidedness and lack of mention of Hamas' "brutal and depraved" attacks against Israel. She also questioned Mayor Johnson's administration's lobbying efforts in support of the resolution.

"We all want what’s best for the city," Silverstein said. "I don’t understand why there was so much personal political capital put behind this when 28 alders asked for collaboration and there was absolutely no clear collaboration from the other side."

On social media platform X, Ald. Ray Lopez accused Mayor Johnson of investing significant political capital behind closed doors to get the resolution passed.

"Should we mention @ChicagosMayor [Brandon Johnson] is personally calling [alderpersons] offering plum committee assignments or leadership positions in exchange for yes votes for the ceasefire resolution?" Lopez wrote on X.

He linked his post to an article exploring "political jockeying and community organizing" days prior to the special meeting.

Four aldermen did not participate in voting: Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) and Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th). Despite being City Council allies with the Johnson administration, these aldermen were endorsed by and received campaign donations from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who did not support the Gaza resolution. According to ABC7, Dowell, Coleman, and Burnett, who were present at the meeting, declined to comment.

Earlier this week, Governor Pritzker voiced his opposition to the City Council resolution. Pritzker, who is Jewish, stated that it won't have "any real impact" on America's foreign policy decisions. He suggested that individuals are using it as a platform for personal statements rather than addressing the complex nature of the conflict.

"The reality is people are just trying to make a statement on their own and using the City Council as some way to amplify their statement as individuals," said Pritzker. "You know, it’s just not going to have an effect."