Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has once again altered his stance on the contentious issue of stationing police officers at city high schools, expressing his support for a plan to remove law enforcement personnel from school premises.

Mayor Johnson communicated his position to the Sun-Times, stating, "The board of education is moving in the direction that I do support." 

He further elaborated on the existing arrangement between educational and law enforcement bodies, saying, "There is an intergovernmental agreement between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department." 

In reference to terminating this agreement, Johnson added, "To end that agreement, [there are] no qualms from me there."

During his mayoral campaign, Johnson advocated that police have no place in public schools. However, after his election last year, he did not actively pursue this issue. According to WBEZ, Johnson expressed his support for an established "democratic process" that allowed local school councils to decide whether individual schools continue to staff police in school buildings.

Recently though, Johnson informed the Sun-Times of his endorsement for a proposal being considered by his personally selected Board of Education. This proposal aims to terminate the current $10 million agreement with the Chicago Police Department which assigns officers to patrol high schools.

According to WBEZ, this summer will see the board of education voting on whether to unilaterally remove police officers from schools without input from local school councils.