# Press Availability 10.7.26

- Date: October 7, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 55:08
- Topic: Press conferences
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UZGTcipYjA)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 7,709 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/2UZGTcipYjA.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson hosts press availability.

## Transcript

[1:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=117) Good morning, everyone, and thank you for being here today. Before we begin, I do want to take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreaking loss of Edomar Paola Hernandez. Her murder has devastated not just her family and the Chatham community, but the entire city, quite frankly, the entire country. I do want to thank the many community members, CVI workers, care workers, first responders, teachers, neighbors who are showing up to support each other and to honor her life.

[2:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=151) My administration is determined to honor her and to make sure that her memory is one that is kept and that our work continues to make sure that little girls and little boys can walk freely through our communities without the fear of harm. I did have the opportunity to speak with the family yesterday, and we will show up for them privately in every way that we can. We will also show up for them publicly

[3:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=185) by investing in Chatham and neighborhoods across the city that continue to experience intolerable violence. We will invest not only in the resources that show up after a tragedy. We will invest in the resources that prevent tragedy from happening at all, because resources are what prevent tragedy. I don't fight for mental health clinics to reopen to appease a non-existent mental health clinic lobby or for youth jobs because they are well-connected teenagers asking me to do so.

[3:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=224) In fact, I fight for those things because responsible investment in people reduces violence. We've seen that reality throughout my tenure, and we've also seen that the work is far from over. In the coming weeks, my administration will share our plans for the fiscal year 2027 budget. And with that in mind, I do want to take a step back just for a moment. When we talk about challenging the wealthiest people and corporations to pay their fair share, we are, and we must, be grounded in these discussions with absolute honesty and accurate data.

[4:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=270) To talk about what is fair, we must talk about the realities that are before us. We are living through a rapidly worsening era of inequality. In the second quarter of this year, American corporate profit margins increased by $384 billion, hitting a $4.83 trillion on an annual basis, the highest in recorded history. come on top of the massive corporate tax cuts handed out by Donald Trump and his allies in

[5:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=305) Congress. And thanks to Trump's big, beautiful bill, corporations will pay $137 billion less in taxes this year than they would have absent federal tax breaks. Meanwhile, the share of business revenue being returned to workers has fallen to 52.9 percent, the lowest point ever recorded. Since 2019, the top 0.1 percent of Americans have seen their net worth more than

[5:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=342) double, gaining $14.5 trillion in new wealth. As a result, the top 1% now owns 32.5% of all wealth. By contrast, the bottom 50%, 165 million Americans, owns just 2.3% of the wealth, and that percentage is going down. As workers' share gets smaller and smaller,

[6:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=375) prices get higher and higher, and the federal government withdraws food and health care support for the most vulnerable. It has never been harder for working people to get by and to get ahead. Recently, the Greater Chicago Food Depository found that one in two Chicago households with children are food insecure. 29% of those households report they've had to skip payments on basic needs like medicine and utilities in order to pay for food. And meanwhile, letters went out last

[6:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=410) month alerting 700,000 Illinois residents, alerting that they are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage. 450,000 Illinoisans, including 100,000 children, are no longer receiving SNAP benefits they were receiving at this time last year. As the federal government transfers hundreds of billions of dollars upwards to the top 1%, cities like Chicago are stepping up to support

[7:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=442) our residents. This is the context. This is the reality. And for some reason, our budget discourse is dominated by corporate mouthpieces talking about what cuts we need to make to local services on top of Trump's cuts. We must dispel the notion that somehow we will be able to cut our way out of Chicago's long-term fiscal challenges. Let me be absolutely clear. We are always looking at ways

[7:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=473) to streamline government, deliver more effective services for our residents, and maximize our impact. Over my past three budgets, we have secured over $740 million in savings and cost reductions without cutting critical services that Chicagoans rely on. This includes $472 million in direct operational reforms that target redundancies, outdated practices, and technological

[8:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=503) improvements. And we have used those savings to reinvest right back into Chicagoans to support the kinds of programs that reduce violence and create lasting change. Let me give you just one particular example. We use cost savings realized with the Department of Technology and Innovation to extend the Chicago Connected program for this school year, ensuring over 28,000 CPS students have access to free, high-speed Internet at home.

[8:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=538) That's the kind of investment my administration makes every chance we get, because investments in our young people, those are the investments that make our city safer and keep it vibrant. We are going to keep looking for savings and ways we can make city government work better for the people we serve in the upcoming budget. But the responsible fiscal stewardship is not just about finding savings. It is also about making sure the city collects the revenue that it is owed and that we collect it fairly. While members of the corporate caucus acquiesced to the interest of corporations

[9:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=571) and passed a budget that unsuccessfully tried to sell the debt of working people to third-party collectors, my administration was working hard to devise responsible debt collection measures that do not place an undue burden on those with the least ability to pay. We invested smartly, adding new positions focused on collections while devising equitable strategies to target the highest income debtors and those who live in the country. live in wealthy communities outside of Chicago.

[10:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=602) These programs have empowered the city to recoup millions of dollars while delivering real relief to working Chicagoans trapped in cycles of debt that grow faster than their ability to pay. And we've invested in stronger tax enforcement. Last week, my administration completed one of the largest tax enforcement actions in the history of Chicago, recouping $32.2 million in underpaid taxes from two of the largest corporations operating in our city.

[10:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=635) As a result of our investments in responsible debt collection and improved auditing of large corporations, collections are up 15% this year than we were at this point last year. Even with debt collections at their highest point since 2021, we still find ourselves staring down a multi-million dollar deficit. We will never be able to overcome our financial challenges by relying on small dollar fines and fees shouldered by working Chicagoans.

[11:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=669) We know what it looks like when we balance our budget on the backs of working people. It has failed before and it will fail again. Because ultimately, responsible debt collection means making sure those who can pay, actually pay. That the city collects the money that it is owed. And so I invite the corporate caucus to think about progressive revenue, about collecting taxes from corporations in the ultra-rich. Just a little bit differently, think about taxing corporations as debt collection.

[11:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=705) Those corporations benefit from city resources. from city workers, and continue relocating here at record rates. It is past time for the city of Chicago to collect what is old. Because when we ask corporations to pay their fair share, we unlock the resources needed to make the investments that strengthen our neighborhoods and improve the lives of working people. And we have seen real results from the investments that we have fought for. Just yesterday, I was in North Lawndale to celebrate the completion

[12:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=735) of the first project under my Missing Meadow Housing Initiative. This summer, we launched our Neighborhood Market Grant Program to help small food businesses and farmers' markets, operators, strengthen their businesses and bring more resources into neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked. Again, it is about making sure that when we generate resources, we put the resources to work in our communities. And we are seeing that commitment across the south and west sides. Since I took office, we've invested $2.6 billion on the south side of Chicago, including $850 million in financial support from my administration.

[12:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=775) And that has helped advance more than 1,230 projects and more than 2,560 homes, nearly 90% of them being affordable. On the west side, we invested $2 billion, and that's more than 800 projects, and more than 2,670 new homes, more than 91% of them are affordable. We've invested more than $1 billion in our schools. We've increased our investments in violence prevention. We've reopened mental health clinics. We've reopened the Department of Environment.

[13:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=806) We just announced the expansion of care into our evening hours so that Chicagoans experiencing a mental health crisis can get the care that they need from trained behavioral health professionals and EMTs. And what do those investments mean for Chicagoans? Well, it means a family getting the keys to a new home, a small business owner getting the support that they need to keep their doors open. It means a child walking into a school with more resources. A Chicagoan experiencing a mental health crisis, getting the care that they need.

[13:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=839) And that's why this conversation about revenue certainly matters. And I want to be very clear. Asking the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share, it's not about one tax. Look, we have to look at what's actually happening. PPLT is exceeding expectations. My administration's smart tax is exceeding expectations. And the digital advertising tax that we fought for right here in Chicago is now being adopted at the state level.

[14:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=869) And at the same time, many of the largest and most profitable companies continue to grow and do business here. So we have to stop allowing corporate aligned voices to tell us that the only answer is to cut more or to vilify every effort to raise the revenue that we need to invest in our city. We have to be willing to ask a simple question. What do the wealthiest Chicagoans owe the city? And if we answer that question honestly, we can finally begin.

[15:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=900) begin to answer a more important one. What can we accomplish together when those at the very top finally pay their fair share? Because we cannot look at the $14.5 trillion in new wealth at the very top and tell working families that there simply isn't enough money to invest in their communities. We cannot continue to pretend that working people are the ones who owe our city more so we are preparing our 2027 budget my administration will continue to be

[15:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=931) disciplined with every single dollar we will continue finding ways to save without cutting the services that our residents depend on and we will continue to collect debt not just in the form of unpaid parking tickets but in the form of corporate accountability we will continue to invest in our neighborhoods, reducing violence by creating opportunity. We will continue to build a safe, affordable, more equitable Chicago. I do appreciate you all's patience. Thank you. And with that, I'm happy to answer your question.

[16:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=970) Hi, Mayor. Thanks for taking my question. When did you first learn about the allegations of Hilario Dominguez's misconduct toward a minor, and how concerned were you? Well, I mean, look, I understand that there is another investigation. I believe this is the fourth time that the OIG has opened up an investigation. I think it's important for the people of Chicago to receive clear answers with expediency. Did you know about the allegations before this year?

[16:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1001) This investigation is now in its fourth round, so this is not a new investigation. It is the reopening of an investigation. Hey, Mayor. You appeared with Dominguez in Pilsen on Saturday and have said that you like him, but that's not an endorsement. Why haven't you endorsed in the school board president race? No, look, I do support Hilario Dominguez. Look, we share values as it relates to our Chicago public schools. He doesn't want schools to close. I went on a hunger strike to keep schools open. He believes in fully resourced schools. I send my children to the public schools.

[17:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1035) He's a former public school teacher just like myself. Look, the stakes are incredibly high. I think it's important that we have people in office who understand that our values have to be front and center, particularly our values as it relates to how we invest in our public education. And switching gears, the clock is ticking on your decision to veto or not veto the effort in the city council to raise the threshold on bonds. Are you going to veto that legislation? What are you thinking about it? Well, listen, as I said before, I'm going to do whatever is necessary to protect working people and the investments that I made.

[17:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1068) I just went through a series of them, you know, with the type of investments that I've secured for the west side of Chicago. Thank you, Brandon, for coming out the other day to go to the Hope Center. That's an investment that is related to the transforming of our communities. There's not a single administration that has invested more on the west and south sides of Chicago in three years. And so I'm going to do whatever is necessary to protect those investments. That's a $2 billion investment on the west side of Chicago. Can westsiders afford not to have those investments?

[18:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1100) I think not, right? I'm a westsider. Can southsiders afford to not have those investments? No, they cannot afford to not have those investments. And so I was elected to protect working people, and that's what I'm going to continue to do. Mayor Johnson, over the course of the last couple of days, Hundreds of thousands of real Chicagoans have reached out to me expressing absolute outrage over the way women, as young women, as young as seven years old, are being brutalized and murdered in the city of Chicago, and yet you refuse to even say their names.

[19:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1144) A seven-year-old girl stabbed in the neck. Bethany McGee sat on fire on a CTA platform on a train. Sheridan Gorman, 18-year-old. William, thank you for the question. You know, I get to ask my question, too, okay? It's called freedom of speech. You really need to look into it, okay? Freedom of speech. It's the First Amendment. William, if you want to ask a question, you better do it now or else we're going to move on. Well, hundreds of thousands of real Chicagoans are asking this question, and they want you to answer it.

[19:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1179) What's the question, William? Why do you refuse to even say their names? Well, I did say Edomar's name just this morning. Well, but you refused to say Bethany McGee's name. You refused to say Sharon Gorman's name. Why do you refuse to say the names of the victims? William, why do you refuse to allow me to talk? It's disrespectful and dishonorable. Respect this seat, whether you respect me or not. not respect the seat of the mayor. You've asked a question and now I'm going to answer it. If you interrupt me again, I'm going to ask that you be removed out of respect to the seat. Now, her name

[20:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1213) is Edomar and there are other names across this city and across this country that have been brutalized through violence. It is and will always remain my top priority. Now what we do know is that there are some real clear indications that there are a number of people who are suffering from mental illness. That is why I'm investing in mental and behavioral health care, because I believe investing in mental health will not just ensure that families can heal, but it can prevent

[20:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1247) violence from happening. My condolences and my prayers will always be for the families, Whether you cover their names or not I receive a phone call every single morning About individuals who have been harmed by violence And whether your hundreds of thousands of people know their names or not I know all of them Because I receive a report on them every single day My motivation is not your news outlet My motivation is the people of Chicago

[21:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1279) And I will continue to use my authority To provide health and mental health services for families to make the investments that are necessary to drive violence down. And in the meantime, as these investments continue to take shape, we're going to also hold people accountable. And that is why I promoted over 250 detectives to solve crime. Because it's not just the stories that you read about that people are living through.

[21:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1311) It's about the absence of investments It's not just about how we reduce violence It's about how we create presence in our communities Presence of mental health services Presence of jobs Presence of good and fully resourced schools That is the approach that I'm taking As I spoke with her mother yesterday And as I expressed my deep sorrow And I also express that I'm going to do whatever is necessary to make sure that we create safer communities, that we hold individuals who are responsible for the harm accountable.

[22:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1350) Do you have a second question? Yes. Please, go ahead. You speak of accountability. You've been mayor for four years. You've, over the course of the last four years, blamed the police for crime, calling them racist, calling incarcerating violence. Where is the question? Yes, your question, William, is that that is not true. Racist and crime and racist. And now you're blaming corporations for the crime. Would you name, if you're not willing to name Sheridan Gorman or Bethany McGee or any of the victims,

[23:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1385) would you at least name one of the corporations that you believe is responsible for the crime in Chicago? Listen, this is not, thank you for your question, it's not about one individual corporation. It's about a collection of trillions of dollars that corporations have received at the expense of the people who follow you. The hundreds of thousands of real Chicagoans that you talk to every day, are they getting corporate tax cuts?

[23:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1416) They're not. Are they getting tax breaks? They're not. So here's what I'm going to offer up to you and the hundreds of thousands of real Chicagoans that you talk to every single day. We are not going to allow corporate interests to overtake the needs of working people. This is not about one corporation. This is about a collection of corporations that continue to receive tax breaks at the expense of real Chicagoans. Thank you very much. Craig, pass the microphone please.

[24:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1449) It had a glitch there for a second. like he got stuck. Go ahead. Good morning. Good morning. I wanted to go back to you talking about it was not about one tax when you talk about progressive revenues. That is correct. Can the city council, can Chicagoans expect that you will be proposing a corporate head tax as well as other taxes on corporations? And if so, what might those look like? Yeah, well, look, first of all, I mean, it really has to be about doing what works. And as I indicated in my opening remarks, if you look at PPLT, if you look at the smart tax, all of the proposals that I put forward are not just working, but they are exceeding the expectations.

[24:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1491) And I'm grateful that the state of Illinois responded to the tax that we implemented here in Chicago, instituting their own version. They also moved forward. on something that I've been fighting for, digital ad tax. It is, it's really about a collection of revenue so that we can continue to make the investments that are necessary. It's not about one tax. I'm going to have these very thorough and expanded conversations with members of city council, along with the community at large. Because, you know, look, the fact that, you know,

[25:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1523) half of Chicagoans who have children are struggling with food, to me i believe that the priority should be centered around how do we make sure that families who go to work every day don't have to stand in lines for food right that's that's unconscionable so look it's going to be a number of areas i met with some members of the general assembly just yesterday having thorough conversations about ways in which the state of illinois can do its part as well because they're dealing with the same challenges i believe the county of

[25:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1554) of Cook has a half a billion dollar budget deficit this is not unique to Chicago this is a challenge all over the country and I'm grateful that my administration has been decisively bold in ensuring that we're putting forth progressive revenue measures that can help improve the quality of life for everyday people. Just a quick follow up on that and let's pray for the lawmakers. Did you get any commitment from them for progressive revenue? Look, we met for several hours quite frankly I mean there's an appetite there I mean, look, you saw what they did in the last session.

[26:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1585) You know, digital ad tech is something I've been calling for since I was a Cook County Commissioner. And so, you know, there's no secret State Senator Rob Markwick has been beating this drum for multiple years. He's been in office for 14 years calling for progressive revenue. This is not a matter of, you know, do we have committed individuals who understand the assignment. This is a matter of expressing our political will to ensure that working people don't have to choose between paying their rent or buying groceries. Thank you for that bonus question.

[26:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1616) I wanted to ask you, down on the second floor, opponents of Amtrak Rail Yard are continuing to push back on the plans down there for that new rail yard, calling for an independent environmental study. do you support that and do you think there's any way to stop this rail yard from going through well i mean you know there's a lot of different configurations here right there's federal oversight and jurisdiction here what i've said repeatedly and this is my philosophy this is how i conduct myself is that we have to we have to make sure that we're centering our work around the needs

[27:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1650) of the community it's imperative that we actually listen to the community and i'm grateful that there are you know city council members who understand you know the responsibility here what I'm hopeful is that by listening to the community that we can move forward with development and plans that that that benefit the neighborhood but also benefits the city at large but it does require us to center the work around the needs of the community and I fully support that great thanks for the extra question the mayor has to leave at 10 so let's move quickly here thank you

[28:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1684) Good morning. Good morning. Sorry, Jeff's head is in the way, so I'm trying to... Yeah. You mentioned that the OIG had four different investigations into Hilario Dominguez. What's been reported is it just remained open. The case remained open for several years. It wasn't closed and open, closed and open. Okay, thank you for that clarification. But anyways, it did close out just after Hilario Dominguez. domingos announced that he was running okay was there any communication from the mayor's office

[28:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1720) or the teachers union to the oig just about that about him at all was there any any communication did i just randomly go to the oig and just ask a question about hilario doming yes i don't i don't do that for anyone i don't just randomly walk up to the oig and just ask random questions about anything they are an independent entity that has a responsibility to make sure that you know government and and those who are um you know hired by government to make sure that they're

[29:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1753) protecting the interests of of of of our enterprise right but no i didn't have any communications with the oig and then also um i know that you mentioned that you're still supporting him because he is the only candidate that he says that pledges he won't close schools is is that a more important to you than what the victim says in this case i mean do you have a message for her at all in this well i mean first of all let's just separate the two because these are two separate things right the oig has a responsibility to answer questions they do and they need to do it

[29:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1793) with some expediency I mean I believe that all of us should be fully aware of Any allegations that are brought against an individual that should hold the public's trust, we should hold them to a higher standard. My support for a candidate who believes in sustainable community schools, who believes in fully funding our schools, who believes in ensuring that our children can have a rich curriculum that allows for them to find their purpose, those are two separate matters.

[30:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1836) And I want to be emphatically clear that the OIG's responsibility in this moment to answer questions with expediency is an imperative. And on a separate note, having a school district that invests in working people, that's important to me. And that's important to Chicagoans across the city.

[31:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1866) And that's why I believe the OIG has an additional duty and responsibility to have those answers before the public with great urgency. Mayor, how would you characterize the allegations? would you call it horseplay? Would I call for what? Would you call the allegations horseplay? Well, I mean, first of all, I don't know if it's appropriate for me to opine on an open investigation. You know, what I can say, though, is that the OIG has an obligation and a responsibility

[31:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1900) to make sure that answers are provided and it's done with expediency. on a separate topic uh today is obviously october 7th what do you say to members of the jewish community who feel that you have not taken the rise in anti-semitism hate crimes seriously well you know first of all let me just restate my position as i've made on october 7th and anti-semitic actions that have happened subsequent that i've made very clear

[32:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1936) that the attack on the Jewish community and all forms of anti-Semitism, I condemn it wholeheartedly. I have worked with our advisory council. I've worked with multiple members of the Jewish community to ensure that their concerns rise to the very top, and I've done that, working with our police department to provide the necessary safety and security measures

[32:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1968) that would allow for the Jewish community to be able to live freely, openly, and without the threat of violence. I'm going to do my part. I'm going to continue to do my part to make sure the Jewish community is supported and that they are seen and loved and protected in this city. Hi, Mayor. Last night, Hilary Dominguez blamed a former campaign opponent, Ida Flores and Michael Sachs, for this allegation from 2017 resurfacing now. Do you think that's appropriate?

[33:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=1999) Do you agree with him? Look, I can't speak to the motives of anyone. What I can speak to is the importance and the need for the OIG to release its report and these allegations that have been brought forward and the reopening of this investigation. This should be an expedited approach to ensure that the public is fully informed of what the OIG's findings are. in 2018-2019 you were a political organizer for ctu ctu backed byron ciccio lopez in that 2019

[33:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2030) race that race is when this allegation first surfaced were you aware of the allegation made by the 17 year old in 2018-2019 as i mentioned to your other colleague this is not a new investigation so you were aware of the information that's available has always been available it is all this is not new this is not a newer discovery what I understand is that the the OIG issued a report and from my understanding claims

[34:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2064) were unsubstantiated in the case had been closed to one of your other colleagues point that was raised the reopening of it think requires the same if not a more even intense thorough investigation than it is provided the three other times and I fully support an expedited response so that we can actually have answers to whatever those claims are. Thank you. Can we move on to Monica? We're short on time. You mentioned expedited a few times. What do you mean by before the election? I think it should happen as soon as possible. I think the people should have the answers

[34:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2096) right? Whenever an investigation about the conduct Thank you. behavior of someone that has the public's trust. We should know that. We should know that. And, you know, I fully support, you know, the commitment of the OIG to release answers so that the public can be fully aware of what their findings are. Monica, go ahead. Good morning. As City Council prepares to vote on a record $260 million police settlement, do you support that settlement?

[35:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2127) and do you believe that enough changes are in place to prevent something like these tragedies from happening again? Well, I mean, look, first of all, these are tragedies. So thank you for naming it as such. This is what I have repeatedly referred to them as, as tragedies. In order to have the public's trust, government has to do right by people.

[36:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2160) These cases predate my time as mayor, and so I believe it's imperative that we do what's necessary to bring closure to that dreadful era. Moving forward to the second part of your first question, it's why I've been promoting constitutional policing. And we're moving in a stronger direction. You know, these settlements are a real drain on not just our budget, but it's a drain on the public trust.

[36:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2191) And so, you know, I'm hopeful and confident that our police department understands its role and its responsibility and that dreadful past that we have had to respond to through forms of settlement, significant forms, that it's no longer the police department that is serving and protecting the people of Chicago today. Thanks. And as the parties who put together Fair and Pro work towards a compromise,

[37:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2225) do you think you're going to support the compromise, and is there something that would be a bridge too far that would make you say, not for me. Yeah, listen, I've said repeatedly that junk fees have to be eliminated. I said that we cannot roll back the gains that were made in RTLO 40 years ago. Those were some important measures that I think are critical.

[37:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2260) I think that move-in fees in particular is one that has demonstrated to create an incredible burden on working people. Fifty-four percent of the people of Chicago rent. And so a compromise that speaks to the values that I've laid out repeatedly, that's where the coalition would like to land because that's who we're centering this work around. It's unfortunate that the sort of other ordinance did not have everyone at the table. I find it to be quite ironic because there are individuals on city council who claim or assert that I am not collaborative.

[38:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2298) It's like an accusation is always an indication of admittance. Isn't that the case? I don't want to do a third question, but does that mean you'd veto it? it means i will support a compromise that protects renters hi mayor council's uh preparing to vote as soon as next week potentially on the divvy scooter lift contract extension lime has called for it to be paused because they believe that this would be unfair uh reduction of competition

[38:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2330) what sorts of conversations if any has your office had with lime and you know what do you think of their arguments? Well, first of all, we should acknowledge the fact that it's clearly an indication that the city of Chicago is good ground to invest in. You know, as we talk about sowing and reaping, the fact that businesses want to do businesses in Chicago, it's a true indication and sign of the strength of our economy and the administration, of course, that I am carrying out the city council you know will you know deliberate you know over what what's

[39:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2366) possible in this moment you know i'm gonna you know stay engaged with all the stakeholders but i think my biggest takeaway is that there's a reason why we're voted again the top big city in america 10 years in a row top relocation for corporate headquarters people want to do business here in chicago and it's a clear indication of the strength of what my administration has fostered but again, I think it's important that we continue to allow the conversation to be had at the city council level and my expectations

[39:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2398) is that they'll come to a conclusion And that is beneficial for the economic growth of our city. And given the rejection of the head tax last year, if you propose something like that this year or something similar. Why are you also fixated on that one tax? You do know that was 1.1667% of the overall budget. They instituted 98% of the budget of which the progressive revenue forms that I put forward that they did accept are outperforming even our own expectations. But go ahead.

[40:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2428) To my point, if you propose something similar or any other corporate taxes, what differences in your approach will you employ this year in trying to persuade them to go along with parts of that budget? All right. In the second quarter of this year, American corporate profits margins increased by three hundred and eighty four billion dollars, hitting a four point eight three trillion dollar on annual basis, the highest in recorded history.

[40:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2459) what are we really talking about here these gains come on top of the massive corporate tax cuts handed out by Donald Trump and his allies in Congress thanks to Trump's big beautiful bill corporations will pay 137 billion dollars less in taxes this year meanwhile the share of business revenue being returned to workers has fallen to 52.9 percent, which is the lowest point ever

[41:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2495) recorded. Corporations are doing just fine, you all. And I understand the impetus behind your question. I do. Because it's a good thing to write about. Let's talk about the top one percent of America corporate interests and the trillions of dollars that they are gaining annually the highest that they've ever recorded in the history of the world at a time in which working people are standing in lines for food

[42:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2528) the world wants us to understand how do we protect corporate interests at a time in which working people are standing in line for food what other approach should I take I can tell you the approach that I'm going to take I'm going to take the approach of the interest of working people to my budget that is it that is all these individuals ultra rich and these corporations that are not persons

[42:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2560) are making more money under the Trump administration than they've ever made in the history of America. Once upon a time, we had free labor. So this is more money that corporations are making ever, and that includes a period in which there was free labor, slaves. So in other words, we have people going to work every single day, and corporations making more than they've ever made. At a time in which black folks were

[43:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2593) enslaved. They're not even making the profit they were making with free labor. And you're talking about the top 0.1% of these big corporate conglomerates, that PPLT. Are city council members upset with the PPLT? That's a tax on corporations. Are they upset with the smart tax? That's a tax on corporations. Even the state did that one. The digital ad tax That's a tax on corporations

[43:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2625) Are they worried that we're going to lose jobs Because we have a digital ad tax So how is it that the state of Illinois Can institute a digital ad tax My social media tax The PPLT tax And that doesn't get any Sort of coverage of opposition But A tax On the largest corporations That benefit from the services that we provide are somehow being, like, attacked

[44:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2658) You can't have it both ways. You can't. But what we can have is a structural response to the incredible malfeasance that I inherited. And we can also make sure that we prioritize working people and not corporate interests. How are you doing, Mayor Johnson? Doing well. Back to Divvy for a moment. Your office is asking City Council to approve this contract. Are you open to revisiting the terms of that deal and bringing Lyme to the table to talk about a micro-mobility contract that would work for all the parties involved in the city?

[44:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2693) I don't know. I don't know. It's a fair question. I mean, you've given me something to think about. Second question. Which White Sox playoff game are you going to? That's pretty jacked up there, Jeff. That's pretty jacked up. Listen, even William Kelly doesn't stoop that low. I mean look everybody knows that I'm a Cubs fan I think the last time the White Sox clenched at home I think they beat us the Cubs in fact

[45:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2726) man I'm rooting for the Sox man I mean this is Chicago right so we're always going to stand in solidarity with the city in terms of which game I'm actually going to be working so I will check the score periodically throughout the day I think it starts at 3 o'clock Okay. Mr. Mayor, I do have to go back to Hilario Dominguez real quick. The woman says that the earlier inquiry closed without even talking to her. First of all, does that concern you at all, that she wasn't reached out to? And should there be a review of how her complaint was handled altogether?

[46:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2761) Look, I can't speak to an open investigation. I'm not aware of the approach that OIG has taken. What I can say is that them reopening, you know, this investigation, you know, is something that is right, you know, because we want to get it right. And that's why they owe answers to the people of Chicago as soon as possible. I'm losing my voice a little bit, so I apologize. The city owes more than $2.6 billion in vehicle violations.

[46:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2793) At the same time, you know, you're talking. The city owes it? Yes, yes. To, for the budget, the city, I'm sorry, let me reframe what I was saying. The city is owed. Oh, okay. My bad, my bad. Wait a minute. Hold on a second, but you almost made me have a fit. My bad. That would have been a different budget. Yeah, I'm like, man, I've got to redo my budget address. Let me reframe this for you. The city is owed. $2.6 billion of vehicle violations. At the same time, you're touting these debt relief programs. And the concern I hear from a lot of aldermen is that they're concerned that they don't want to overly burden working-class people,

[47:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2828) but they believe the pendulum may be shifting a little bit too far. So can you point to exactly, like, how much you're going to realistically recover by going after the corporations and what they owe to the city of Chicago? and does that mean you're ignoring altogether the vehicle violations and people just not paying for their violations? Well, in last year's budget, I'm not sure if you had a chance to review it, but we hired 13 people to do just that. We added 13 positions. Is it 13?

[47:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2859) 14? That's another government bloat. No, I'm teasing. So we hired 14 people to recoup debt. But here's the thing. two corporations, $32 million. And what's more efficient? People continue to talk about making government more efficient. You can get more from the ultra-wealthy who have the ability to pay than even finding it

[48:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2890) in the pockets of working people who are in line for food. And we're talking about that number, I believe, that you just indicated, that goes back how many years? Several years, right? So I do find it somewhat hypocritical for members of city council to be in city council for all of these years and didn't start thinking that it was important to do this until I became mayor.

[48:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2923) Now again, we created 14 additional positions to be able to recoup the debt. We've offered up amnesty to encourage individuals to settle debt. But again, I think I can't emphasize enough how important it is to challenge these corporations. Listen, this is not a diss on you all. I am a little disturbed, to be perfectly frank, that the questioning around how we go after

[49:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2954) working people is more intensified, and then challenging corporations, it seems like there's a little coddling that's happening. And as I indicated before, if I told you prior to your question again, that $384 billion of corporate increase, and that this is the highest that they've ever recorded in the history of America, while working people are literally in food lines.

[49:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=2990) I'm not disturbed at you all as individuals. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm saying that what type of society are we elevating when there's more of a drive and demand to go after the little guy, the working woman with two jobs? I just I think we need to do better I know I have to get out of here I just believe that we have to do a better job at really highlighting the story here

[50:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3023) that at a time in which federal tax breaks have benefited corporations at record levels you all we're losing our democracy you know I talked about Justice Brandeis he said you can either have a democracy or wealth in the hands of a concentrated few, but you cannot have both. We're losing hold of this dream of America, of being a place where you can discover your

[51:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3061) purpose and live a healthy, fruitful life. And you have members of city council that, again, that are coddling individuals that are already being protected by Donald Trump. I'm just saying, you all, I'm incredibly bothered and concerned that there's more of an appetite to hold a bus operator or an Uber driver accountable than corporations that are just harming our economy.

[51:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3099) and they're harming our economy by this stratification that continues to create such extreme wealth. Like there's one thing to like have corporate greed and then there's avarice. We are so bloodthirsty that you won't even spare crumbs. I don't mean to lecture and I do apologize if it's coming across that way. I'm just saying that there are people

[52:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3130) who are working hard every day in this city to make ends meet, and corporations are making a killing, and it's well past time that we ask them to do their part. All right, last one. Can we make a concise place for sure? Yeah, absolutely. And that's on me. Good morning. Good morning. What do you use for your hair? It's not that serious. It's not? Okay, I use shave butter. I like your hair, though. Because you see where I'm going, though, right? I appreciate that. I need to get cut. Shave butter. No, I don't. When you appointed Renee Hatcher, you said you wanted the law department to be more aggressive in protecting working people.

[52:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3167) The Commerce Commission is deciding whether new data centers cover the cost of the grid they need or whether it lands on everyone's bill. The city's only witness in that case works for O'Hare and is testifying about the airport's electric bills. The city has put no one forward on what residents pay. How does that square with protecting working people? Well, listen, as I said before, first of all, you know, I put forth an executive order to create stronger regulations around how, you know, technology advances.

[53:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3203) That is a protection. I've called for a moratorium on the expansion of data centers. That's how we protect working people. You know, using the tools that have been available to me, whether it's through litigation or executive orders. That's how we're protecting working people. In this particular matter, you know, look, I think it's imperative to highlight the fact that, you know, 100 percent of our buildings are now powered by renewable energy, including both of our airports.

[53:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3235) That's also protecting working people. Government is still flawed. I think we all understand that all of our systems are flawed. Is there room for advancement and improvement? Of course. You can't hide from the fact that there's no mayor, whether it's reopening the Department of the Environment or all the other measures that I put forward, that my environmentally sound record is one that even the globe has recognized,

[54:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA?t=3268) the most resilient city on the planet, right? And so there's always more work to be done, but my record of protecting working people certainly speaks for itself. Thank you. And will the city put forward a witness on what residential customers pay before that hearing on October 15th? We'll certainly look into that. Thank you for raising that. I appreciate you all. Thank you for your questions. Nice job.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2UZGTcipYjA · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt