Chicago City Wire

Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly (D-42nd Ward) criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as "incompetent," after reports that the mayor walked out on an editorial board interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.

Reilly posted the comments on X, Wednesday morning. "He isn’t addressing crime. His mismanagement of the migrant crisis is inexcusable. He can’t even complete an editorial board interview with the Sun-Times. But, by all means, let’s trust this guy with another $100 million tax hike so he can 'fix more things.'"

Johnson scheduled an editorial board meeting over Zoom with the Sun-Times for Monday, but it "ended abruptly" after Johnson's press secretary Ronnie Reese "insisted the entire session be off the record (and) Editorial Page editor Lorraine Forte refused to accept those unprecedented terms," the Sun-Times reported.

"Johnson allowed Reese to make the argument for him and never said a word before signing off from the Zoom session," the newspaper said.

Johnson was elected as mayor of Chicago in 2023, after defeating incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot in the first round. He run against fellow Democrat Paul Vallas, whom he defeated to become the 57th Mayor of Chicago. 

Before being elected as mayor, Brandon Johnson served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners representing the 1st district from 2018 until 2023. 

Brandon Johnson Johnson graduated from Aurora University with a bachelor’s degree and went on to earn his master’s degree in teaching from the same university.

Brendan Reilly represents Chicago’s 42nd Ward, which includes Chicago’s Central Business District. He unseated former 36-year incumbent alderman Burton Natarus in 2007. 

Before serving on Chicago City Council, Reilly worked in public service for the Illinois House of Representatives as a staff member. He also worked as AT&T’s Midwest Vice President of Public Affairs for several years. 

Reilly graduated from Hobart College in 1994 with his bachelor’s degree. He has lived in downtown Chicago since 1997, currently residing in the River north neighborhood with his wife.