# Press Availability 8.12.25

- Date: August 12, 2025
- Type: Video
- Length: 1:05:50
- Topic: Press conferences
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0RDLR2K1wk)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 8,916 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/T0RDLR2K1wk.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=0) Introduction and welcome
- [3:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=216) Mental health access
- [5:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=325) Community-based partnerships
- [6:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=398) Healing arts initiatives
- [7:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=469) Suicide prevention training
- [8:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=510) School-based mental health
- [9:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=548) Service improvement metrics
- [12:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=723) Mayor's closing remarks
- [12:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=747) CPS budget discussions
- [22:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1342) Federal relations and safety
- [32:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1922) Firefighter union agreements
- [34:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2061) No-knock warrant policy
- [36:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2165) Governmental administrative updates
- [38:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2322) Crime reduction and safety
- [44:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2683) Pension payments and fiscal policy
- [46:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2781) Agency leadership and oversight
- [53:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3224) Chicago Bears stadium talk
- [55:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3342) Personnel and payroll matters
- [59:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3564) Final legislative and stadium Q&A

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson hosts press availability

## Transcript

[2:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=173) Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for being here. I want to thank Commissioner Dr. Ige for being here, along with members of our team, the Chicago Department of Public Health. We have Dr. Waugh, who is also joining us. And thank you to our Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, Deputy Mayor Garyon Gatewood. Thank you for joining us this morning. We're going to talk about our mental health clinics and how it relates to our broader community safety strategy.

[3:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=207) And with that, in the interest of time, I'm going to pass it over to Dr. Ige. Good morning. Good morning. I am Dr. Simba Ige, and I'm the commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health. And today we want to talk about progress, progress in increasing access to mental health, which is one of the priorities of our mayor and also the priorities of Chicagoans. In this photo, you see us cutting the ribbon on one of the new mental health sites opened in 2024.

[4:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=244) What has happened since then, that is the progress report that I'm going to be sharing with you. Next, please. Now, in this photo, to increase access to mental health, we have to center what Chicagoans deserve. They deserve inviting spaces. They deserve good quality care. So it's not just the building. It's the furniture. It is the services. It is information and education. Next slide, please. So we know that people have preferences. Access is about choice. And so what we have been doing is to give Chicagoans choices so that there is no wrong door. Regardless of your preference, you have mental health services tailored to you.

[4:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=292) We want to serve Chicagoans starting at the age of six and make sure there is no barrier. immigration status, insurance status, your age, your preference, it's not going to be a barrier in the city of Chicago. So we are offering no-barrier outpatient mental health services. We added three new sites in 2024, bringing the total of city-run sites to seven. And these are the locations all across the city.

[5:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=323) Next slide, please. Now, no wrong door also means that we are working with people who are already there. There are providers who are in communities serving people. So we are providing additional resources to them to expand their capacity so they can serve their residents right where they are. So 38 community-based organizations in addition to the seven city-run services. And these are some of the examples. What if you are hungry and you go to a food pantry?

[5:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=354) What if mental health services are right there where you're accessing food? And that is our partnership with Nourishing Hope. What if you're a senior and you cannot work or take transportation or take a taxi to a mental health center? What if we bring the services to you? This is our partnership with Envision United located at the senior center. What if you are a community-based organization, a community-based health center, and people are already accessing physical health services there? Then we have partnered with Lundell Christian Health Center, providing mobile, integrated care to individuals in the shelter system.

[6:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=391) These are some of the innovative ways we are expanding options for Chicagoans. Next slide. Healing Arts. Some people are not there for therapy. They're not interested in medication. But there are other ways to process your emotions and to cope with stressful situations. And that's why we have Healing Arts Chicago. Launched in 2023 a partnership with D-Case and Malcolm X, we are training artists to be community health workers. And overall, we have hosted events all over the city in our mental health centers, and we have services including sound therapy, yoga, other art events to help people deal with substance use, opioid-related arms, co-occurring mental health illnesses, et cetera.

[7:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=441) Next slide. And the healing arts, more than 3,000 people have participated. More than 100 artists are being paid and are now community health workers certified providing these services. And more than 600 sign-ups for sessions. So these are the options available to Chicagoans. Healing arts, in your current provider space, in our mental health clinics, many different options available. Next slide. Suicide prevention. What if we could equip faith-based leaders, community leaders, regular everyday folks to help question, persuade, and refer people to services? That's what we're doing with suicide prevention training. Launched in May 2024, 50 diverse CDPH staff volunteered were trained as trainers, and they in turn have trained more than 700 individuals to be trainers.

[8:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=494) And what do they do? They help identify signs of crisis. They provide support to persuade and refer and connect people to services. So this is another example of how we're meeting people where they are. Next slide. Now, we have more than 600 public schools, and we know that mental illness start to manifest in teenage years. So what if we can bring services closer to Chicago public schools? And this is our partnership with CPS.

[8:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=526) Those who have insurance already have access to mental health providers. And so whether it is in school, whether it is through linkage and referral, whether it is through systems navigation, We are making this option available in partnership with CPS for those who have mental illnesses or need mental health support in Chicago public schools. Next slide. Now, our mental health center, city-run services. Last year, in quarter one of 2024, there were many people who were seeking services, and we couldn't get them appointments.

[9:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=563) And now we are very proud to say 90 plus people, 90% plus of those who seek appointment in our mental health clinics can now be accommodated. Quarter one of 2024, we were only able to accommodate 59,000 appointments. Now, as I stand before you today, in the last quarter of 2025, we accommodated 10,000.

[9:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=594) That is double what we were able to do last year. Last year, quarter one, new clients, only 31 that we could serve in a quarter. This year, 288, eight to nine times what we were able to do last year. This is what investing in people, investing in community meant. How did we do it? We centralized intake. We invested in our staff. We improved our processes. We have multidisciplinary staffing in our clinics now to make sure our processes are expedited.

[10:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=630) We have maximized the limited resources that we have, including productivity standards so that we maximize the caseload for all of our therapists. And continuous improvement. We are continuously tweaking it, making sure that our standards are up to par for the best standards for the state and the country. This is how we have improved those numbers. Next slide. We are even more motivated to continue to meet Chicagoans where we are.

[11:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=664) And we want folks to know that there are options available. We have a mental health clinics for those who need to talk to someone about their emotions. We want you to know that you can call 312-747-1020 to get an appointment. We want you to know that if you are unsure, if you need mental health support at all, you can call us and we can help you figure it out. We want you to know that if you want to come in person, there are many options available to you. But let's say I don't want to come in person.

[11:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=695) I want to have telehealth services. We also have that option available to you. Our services are no barrier. You don't have to pay for those services. If you have insurance, it's fine. If you don't have insurance, it is fine. We want every Chicagoan out there to know that there are many options for mental health support for them. And I will stop there and pass it on to the mayor. Thank you very much. Thank you, Dr. Vigay. That's really encouraging news.

[12:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=727) As we work to build the safest, most affordable big city in America, it's paramount that we invest in mental health. So thank you for your service and leadership and your entire team. And with that, we'll take questions. Okay. We have a full house today, so we're just going to do questions instead of monologues. And it's going to be one question, one follow-up. Let's start with Sarah. Oh, that's too bad. I had a monologue to give today.

[12:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=761) Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. Tomorrow the CPS will present its budget. Can you give us any ideas of what's in it? Does it include a short-term loan, more TIF money? Do you still support a loan? Well, as you know, the $734 million projected deficit is one that we've inherited. And, you know, as we ensure that our vision for public education comes to fruition, it's going to be incredibly important that we make the necessary investments

[13:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=793) to ensure that every single child across the city has a fully funded school which allows them to reach their potential and a fully funded school in our neighborhood that allows students to walk to. There's no secret here that we have to have everything on the table. Of course, as a parent and as a former public school teacher, I don't want any cuts in the classroom, but all of our options have to be available for the board,

[13:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=823) and quite frankly and furthermore, we have to collectively work with Springfield to ensure that the $1.6 billion that has been calculated that the state of Illinois owes the city of Chicago that we work in concert to ensure that the district that so many people rely upon is fully funded. I know I asked you this question, I think, last week, but obviously Springfield money is not going to come through in the next 24 hours.

[14:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=855) so what I mean don't you feel at this point cuts even in the classroom are inevitable given the close to billion dollar budget deficit well look again it's really about what our ultimate vision is and we don't want any cuts to the classroom and all of our options will be on the table so that we can ensure that we're making the progress that's have put us in a much better position with our outcomes.

[14:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=887) Let me just say that whether it shows up in 24 hours or not, this is not about just the life of one budget. This is about the future of our public education system. And as Democrats, we all have... I have to come together to ensure that we're standing up for working people. In fact, when the ESSER dollars ran out, there was a push to demand that the president actually shows up for working people across America. Had the ESSER dollars been extended, we would have a billion-dollar surplus.

[15:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=919) So the resources and the money is there. It's a matter of having the political fortitude to actually exercise that power. So I hear your question, and I actually appreciate it, that it's not going to show up within 24 hours, but it not showing up in 24 hours does not absolve the state's responsibility to ensure that it comes. And since there is real uniformity around our vision for working families in the city of Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois, it is crucial and incumbent upon us to deliver on the good of education.

[15:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=956) So thank you. Mayor, I'd like to follow up on a question that Sarah asked about the short-term high-interest loan. Would you be surprised, and what was your reaction, if it's true, that your newly appointed CPS CEO does not want to go the route of that short-term loan? How does that hit your ear, if that proves to be true? Here's what hits my ear the hardest. It's the fact that we're debating on whether or not children deserve a high-quality education.

[16:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=989) That's really what we're talking about. We're talking about the future of our education system and whether or not we're willing to do what's necessary to fund it. So here's what hits my ear as well. It's that when parents, like myself, expect smaller class sizes, parents like myself who are excited about the expansion of sustainable community schools, parents like myself who are thrilled by the idea of LGBTQ plus students being protected, black history being protected, sports and after school programs being fully funded, that's what hits my ear the loudest.

[17:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1029) Now, the threat that's coming from the federal government is vicious, and the animus and disdain towards working people is quite severe, and that's why it's not just about what happens in this year's budget, right? We're going to do everything in our power to ensure that this budget reflects our values, and this is about the future of our public education system. I just don't want people to lose sight on what the ultimate goal is, that whenever we're talking about working people and our values, there are more sort of consternations or questioning on our ability to be able to actually deliver those services.

[17:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1072) However, the cut and the cuts that are happening to the day-to-day experiences of working people in this city and that revenue, if you will, is being pushed into the hands of the ultra-rich, that is what I am hearing louder in this moment. And that's ultimately what we're going to respond to. Now, look, our options are on the table, you know, and we have to ensure that for the long-term sustainability of our school district that we're all committed in the state of Illinois to ensure that we are fully funded.

[18:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1106) But specifically, that short-term loan has been the focal point of so much consternation. No, it's actually been the focal point for a couple of people. What I'm saying is I talk to parents. I have never heard a parent come up to me, and I talk to parents all over the city. No parent has ever come up to me and asked that question. Not one. You know what? I'm literally telling you what they ask because I'm one of them. They want class sizes to be smaller. They want their children to be able to have an after-school program. I want us to listen to what parents are actually asking.

[18:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1138) They're not talking about that. They're talking about ensuring that their education of their child is fully funded. Now, if you want to talk about what they really talk about, the headline of the Chicago Sun-Times said $1.6 billion. That's what they bring up. And so it's incumbent upon us to ensure that we are actually speaking to what parents are actually calling for. They want the state to lean in to challenge the state of Illinois to work with the board and, quite frankly, work with boards across this state to ensure that we are fully funding public education in the city of Chicago.

[19:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1172) Thank you. Hi, Mayor. Are you going to follow up on someone's follow-up? I am. I figured. Go for it. So we've learned through sourcing that you asked CPS to take out a $200 million loan and make a pension payment. Can you tell us essentially why those are things that you're requesting? And given that we've heard that the CPS CEO has resisted those demands, can you tell us how you feel like your relationship could be impacted with her going forward? Every option. that's available to us we have to actually lean into and have a robust discussion around it

[20:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1208) and we're doing just that. You know as far as the back end of your follow-up look Dr. Keene has 12 years of classroom experience, 19 years as a principal. She's worked with multiple administrations. She is you know certainly qualified to lead in this moment And the real impact that we're focused on is the impact of cuts to the classrooms to families. That's what we talk about.

[20:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1239) Our focus is ensuring that the families that rely upon public education have a fully funded district. That's what we spend our time talking about. I guess also given what happened with Pedro Martinez, are you concerned that that could happen again going forward? No. Hi, Mayor. Maybe a different angle at the same topic.

[21:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1269) So a follow-up to the follow-up? Follow-up to the follow-up. First of all, it turns out you're getting your monologue through your colleagues. Why invite the CTU and Principals Association to these meetings today about the CPS budget but exclude SEIU 73, which represents 13,000 CPS employees? They're upset about that. Everyone will be at the briefing today, All of the partners who are attached to our public education system, this is unprecedented.

[21:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1300) I can't think of any other time in the history of Chicago where we've had this type of robust conversation. And I'm grateful that there are people who trust my leadership to actually come to the table to discuss these very important issues. That includes SEIU? Everyone is at the table to discuss this matter. On the loan, the former CEO resisted it. Your former board resisted it. But according to sources, the current CEO is resisting it. Isn't that a sign that they believe this loan could threaten the future of public education if CPS goes more into debt?

[22:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1332) Yeah, the threat to public education is if we don't get the $1.6 billion from the state of Illinois. That's the real threat. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. Please tell me you're going to change the subject. Okay. Well, I was going to, but maybe I don't want to. You're good. Go for it. Sarah, what was that monologue about? But can we discuss what was happening yesterday? The president has powers to take over the Metro Police Force in D.C.,

[22:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1365) does not have that power here, but could, under the Insurrection Act, send in the National Guard into the city of Chicago. The president was, well, he called you an incompetent man yesterday. He said the same thing about the governor. Talk about your feelings on what the president had to say about crime rates in D.C., in Chicago, how that doesn't necessarily jive with the numbers that we're getting from the police forces from both cities,

[23:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1395) and your thoughts on the president using the Insurrection Act as a catalyst to bring in the National Guard into the streets of Chicago. Well, it's clear that the president of the United States of America is very much interested in insurrections. He led one. And I remember a time in which we had presidents who declared war on poverty.

[23:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1426) This president has declared war on poor people. And he's doing it by way of taking away, you know, Medicaid, taking away SNAP, you know, I mean, literally taking away food. You know, he has gone after the Department of Public Education, defunding critical resources to our cities. And he is literally plundering our cities as we speak.

[24:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1457) and i i am quite disturbed frankly by the unhealthy style of governance where he has shredded our constitution and you know if the president was sincere he would not be declaring war on poor people and going after homeless people that's a much different posture that

[24:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1490) than what we're taking in the city of Chicago, right? I mean, we've expanded our shelter beds by 126%, put $40 million, into our shelter system to improve them. We're on pace to build 10,000 affordable units by the time my first term ends. And we're making critical investments to drive violence down on the city of Chicago. Homicides are down 30 percent, shootings and shooting victims down almost 40 percent. So it's evident that the work is working.

[25:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1520) And so as disturbing as it is, you know, we can't not lose sight on what we are facing. And President Trump shifting the highest concentration of wealth into the hands of the ultra rich. It's why here in Chicago we're moving to challenge the ultra rich to pay their fair share in taxes.

[25:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1552) You have a tax burden of working people in the city of Chicago, about 19, 19.5%, almost 20%, where for the rich, it's about 11, 11.5%. For the ultra-rich, they almost pay no taxes. And so my focus is going to always be to protect people of this city and to build the safest, most affordable big city in America. And though we take these threats seriously, we would not bow down or succumb to his tyrant rage.

[26:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1592) Have you had conversations with public safety, with the superintendent, on the possibility of that happening? Well, he doesn't have the illegal authority to do it, right? So let me just be very clear. He does not have the legal authority to do it. Right. I'm not talking about the police force. I'm talking about the Insurrection Act and National Guard. I'm saying he does not have, I know what you're talking about. He does not have the legal authority to do it. In fact, troops do not have policing power. They're not even trained to do that.

[27:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1624) So understand what this president is provoking. He is provoking on sending federal troops, the National Guard, into cities to plunder them, though those entities do not have policing power. So they can't even do the very thing that he claims that he wants them to do. You talk about incompetence. Look, I taught seventh grade. In Chicago, seventh graders have to pass the Constitution. I taught it.

[27:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1656) This president could use a seventh grade class right now to understand the basics of the Constitution. And so it's incumbent upon all of us as we literally watch this man shred the Constitution in front of us, taking not only a tyrannical approach, an authoritarianism approach towards governance, is doing it with no resistance from his own party.

[28:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1688) And I'm grateful that there are Democrats around the country and even reasonable Republicans who recognize that he is a threat to our democracy. You all have heard me speak of this before. I've said this for the last couple of years. The extreme right in this country wants a rematch of the Civil War. His own mentor, President Andrew Jackson, is how he is modeling his behavior. the trail of tears right snatching people off of their land

[28:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1719) a war on poor people he is one of the biggest threats to humanity that we've seen in an entire generation and as mayor of the city of Chicago and as someone who understands the premise of our constitution we are justified in our resistance to his authoritarianism Mayor Johnson, I apologize.

[29:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1751) A couple weeks ago, I asked you if you would cooperate with ICE if your wife Stacy's body was... Hey, we've just got to get to the questions. There's no time for this. I'm making an apology. Yeah, but everyone else has questions too, so we've got to keep moving. And if it was your wife Stacy's body that had been concealed and abused by Jose Luis Mendoza Gonzalez, the illegal alien, And you said that you felt threatened by the question, that it scared you. And I do apologize.

[29:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1781) Over the weekend, President Trump said that you were incompetent, called you an incompetent mayor, and called you an incompetent man. Just addressed this. A few, 1,000-plus violent teenagers rampaged through your neighborhood, your adopted neighborhood of Austin in the United States. from Elgin, and assaulted police officers, multiple shootings. A woman was shot in the back multiple times who sadly passed. My question to you is simply this.

[30:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1814) Do you, your neighbors in Austin do contact me, and they tell me that they don't feel threatened by my questions. They feel threatened by your anti-curfew policies that are leading to these out-of-control, violent teenagers thank you murdering apparently thanks man all right what do you say to your neighbors what do you say to those neighbors in austin who feel threatened by your policies thank you for staying

[30:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1846) awake during our presentation i know you have worked hard to get the necessary help that's needed and whatever condition in which that you are dealing with i'm glad that you are getting some help so that means a lot to me your answer to your neighbors who have been uh a neighbor Yeah, and so we are addressing community safety. That's my top priority, and we will continue to do that. Thank you. Do you have a follow-up? Thank you, Lynn. We're going to go to Justin here. Thank you. Thank you. Let's move on, please. All right. Thank you, Lynn.

[31:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1876) All right. We're going to go to the next question. Thanks. What do you say to Donald Trump? How did you feel when Donald Trump called your accountant? What did you feel? All right. He just addressed this. Thanks. Please answer that question. If you will. Okay, fine. And since you are begging, I do believe that Donald Trump is intimidated. I know. I think no interruption. So let me just answer that. I do appreciate you begging. So I would just say it like this, that the president has always been intimidated by the intellectual prowess of black men.

[31:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1908) And so, of course, he would speak in those petite and puerile terms because he's small. Thanks. Here's Justin. Hi, Mayor. My understanding is your administration has reached, I guess, tentative agreement with the Firefighters Union. Can you confirm that? Can you provide any details? Does it – I assume it includes back pay, similar raises to the FOP contract?

[32:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1938) Yes. We are – we have worked hard to get this deal done, obviously, that there are still some steps that have to be taken in order for this to be finalized. And, you know, since taking office, we've landed dozens and dozens of contracts. This one was important to me, and I'm glad that we are moving forward. I've said from the very beginning that part of the agreement would include, and we've budgeted for, back pay.

[32:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=1970) And there are some other, you know, elements within the tentative agreement that I believe places us in a stronger position to build a safe and affordable big city. But I'm grateful to my team as well as Local 2 for staying at the table and working tirelessly to come to an agreement tentatively that meets the expectations and standards of working people in the city. I'm going to work, too, into this follow-up. When you describe additional steps, you just mean, like, the logistical ratification city council?

[33:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2006) Absolutely, that's right. Right, because I know people pay more attention to the ratification of the teacher's contract, but there is also a similar process that the CFD goes through as well. And then on the back pay, obviously that process has to play out, and I know that you budgeted for, I don't know if you budgeted the full amount in the 2025 budget or close to it. Do you anticipate that that cost will be a 2025 cost, or will that be pushed to 2026? That's a good question. We have budgeted the back pay for the duration of the contract, right?

[34:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2042) So in terms of the logistics of how that back pay is handled, I can get you those specifics, but we have budgeted the last two budgets to ensure that once the agreement was ratified, that there would be no disruption in our first responders' pay. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. Regarding the Internet Young ordinance, Alderman Woman Haddon and Ms. Young say that Chicago police do not support the latest version. That adds a 30-second wait period for warrants. Is this your understanding of Superintendent Sterling's position?

[34:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2075) And how will you shore up enough support without his backing? There are some concerns that the superintendent has raised. We're going to continue to work through this process. And, you know, the most important thing, though, that I know that the superintendent is committed to, This is my commitment, is to work to make sure that that trauma that Ms. Anjanette Young experienced, that that doesn't happen, you know, again. And I commend, you know, Anjanette Young for her steadfastness and commitment

[35:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2109) to ensuring that this ordinance not only sees the light of day, but it actually becomes law. Is banning no-nog warrants still part of your agenda in the future? Well, look, I can say that I've made it very clear that, you know, that interaction was very troubling and revealing. You know, the ultimate goal is to make sure that, you know, these warrants are executed properly, right, and that we don't put, you know, people in harm's way.

[35:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2141) But we also want to make sure that our police department have the tools that they need to continue to drive, you know, my vision for the city, which is to build a safe and affordable one. So it's an ongoing conversation. I mean, these reforms and transformations certainly don't come easily, but it doesn't stop us or prevent us or curtail us, quite frankly, from pursuing justice. So thank you for those questions. Hey, ma'am. Hey. When you sought candidates to fill the 35th Ward vacancy, you listed relevant government experience as a qualification.

[36:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2172) That isn't listed in the outline for your 27th Ward committee. Why did you remove it, and is that an effort to clear the way for Alderman Burnett's son, Red? Well, so it's my responsibility to make sure that the committee is formed. The committee establishes its expectations for the particular ward that has the vacancy, right? So, for instance, you may have also noticed that the 35th Ward Committee made Spanish-speaking as a requirement.

[36:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2204) You don't see that in the 27th Ward's Committee, right? And I'm going to just draw a conclusion here. It has more to do with the fact that the makeup of the particular ward, right? So, again, the committee will establish criteria based upon the needs of those communities that are reflected in those particular wards. I don't micromanage to that extent where I put forth a blanket, uniformed requirement because the city of Chicago is far more diverse and you need more of an eloquent process, and that's essentially what's playing out.

[37:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2242) And switching beats a bit, you talked earlier about how you don't believe that Donald Trump has the right to send the National Guard here. But what are your plans if the president moves ahead on such plans to try to have a police force of some kind in Chicago from the national government? How are you – is it just court action? What are you planning to do if that happens? Well, look, the governor and I, we're on the same page here, right? And so, you know, legal action will will will will be on the table.

[37:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2274) But I want to make something perfectly clear. These individuals are not being sent to cities, to police cities, because they're not trained to police. These are soldiers, soldiers. They don't go through the training that our police officers go through. In fact, it is quite hypocritical on the part of the president to even suggest such a move, and it is destabilizing for the city of Washington, D.C.

[38:28](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2308) Look, crime is down in Chicago. Crime is down. There is more work for us to do. But, you know, he wasn't adamant about ensuring that the $830 million of funding that he took away from community violence prevention and intervention, you know, these are individuals that are on the front line in these particular communities preventing crime, preventing retaliation from taking place, building relationships.

[39:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2340) I know these individuals. I sit with them. We spend time with them. Deputy Mayor Gatewood. I mean, we're on constant calls with these individuals that are literally on the front line to keep our community safe. And, you know, this president's approach is like, I wish it were just a joke. He's one. But it's antithetical to what we're actually working to accomplish here.

[39:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2370) And you're seeing the results all over the country. Brandon Scott, Randall Woodfin, Mayor Bowser, Mayor Johnson in Milwaukee. 30% reduction in homicides just this year alone in the city of Chicago. 40% reduction in shootings and shooting victims. Like, these are individuals who are on the front line. The money that he took to give to the ultra-rich Thank you.

[40:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2401) that are preventing violence from taking place. He's exacerbating the problem here. Again, like running amok around this country, shredding our Constitution. He's dangerous. We have seen this before. And inch by inch, he continues to see what he will get away with. I appreciate the question, I really do. because I'm going to stand firm in my defense of our city.

[40:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2433) And we need more people raising their voices against someone who is trampling over the very Constitution that we helped form and build and reform. Like, I know my history. We don't get to Chicago just simply because we were just walking around aimlessly. we're talking about my mother-in-law my mother-in-law was a sharecropper

[41:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2463) that's barely a generation removed from slavery we built this country we fought for a country that didn't see us as a full human being this man is beyond the tyranny that we see around the world because the tyranny that we're seeing around the world in many instances their constitution permits it

[41:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2493) our constitution was built and designed to provide checks and balance there are certainly no checks to this president right now except for the cities that are fighting to uphold our humanity and our democracy and there's certainly no balance to him I have never seen a president more off than Donald Trump just off the rockers.

[42:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2523) So this is not just about Mayor Brandon Johnson in this moment. This is about one nation that he is working overtime to divide and conquer. He said it. Take him at his word. As off as he is, take him at his word. I am, and I'm going to fight and do everything in my power to make sure that we protect the sanctity of a democracy that did not even want to see me.

[42:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2557) And if I can fight that hard for a democracy, of which my ancestors built this country, if I can fight that hard for this democracy, everybody else has to lean in as well. Hi, Mayor. Hi. I have a follow-up to that, actually, and then my own question. Have you looked into what power, if any, local police officers have to deny federal agents entry to public spaces in Chicago when they do not have a warrant? And is that something you would consider? Well, in terms of federal agents that are ICE agents, the welcoming city ordinance protects against that.

[43:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2594) Without a warrant, a criminal warrant, they really do not have that authority, right? Now, here's the thing. You know, I just spent time with, you know, our federal agents who are working hard in coronation to drive violence down in the city of Chicago just last week. You know, you may have seen the announcement where we recovered. How many guns did we recover? It's around 140. Over 140 guns. And let me just tell you, it's sickening the type of weaponry that's moving through the streets of Chicago.

[43:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2625) I mean, we're talking about, you know, high-powered rifles, machine guns illegally. Coming from a couple of places. Indiana is one. Indiana is one. That's a big one. Mississippi, I believe, is another one. I mean, you have gun traffickers that are coordinating with individuals in the city of Chicago to bring illegal guns through here. And there are levels of coordination that work to prevent that or disrupt it.

[44:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2657) You know, so as far as that level of coordination, it's necessary, right? What we don't want is the enforcement, if you will, of immigration policy to be the responsibility of local police officers. That is, again, antithetical to what we're accomplishing in the city of Chicago. On CPS, can you confirm whether the district is making the $175 million pension payment?

[44:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2688) Well, it's certainly the expectation. That's the expectation. Have you heard otherwise from school district leaders? Look, I know there are some individuals that are concerned. I'm concerned about how we balance this budget. What I can say is this. District 299, Chicago Public Schools, is moving and graduating towards full independence. As we work to disentangle the elements of the relationship and how schools are funded, this is the inevitable direction that we're going into.

[45:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2726) Right now, the city of Chicago, we subsidize conservatively about a billion dollars of support for our public education system, which obviously I believe in it. And this is also why the conversation about how we work collaboratively to ensure that $1.6 billion – check this out. If we actually had the $1.6 billion, a fully funded school district from the state of Illinois, the district will be in a surplus. There is a very clear, stark element here that school districts around America are woefully underfunded, and the president of the United States of America has obviously declared war on poor people.

[46:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2767) And so that's why it's necessary for us in this moment to use all of our tools and strategies to ensure that working people do not get harmed by the Trump administration. Thank you. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. It's been about seven months since the CTA has had a permanent leader, and meanwhile the fiscal cliff approaches. When are you going to appoint a permanent leader of that agency, and why has it not happened yet? Yeah, well, look, you know, our interim CEO has handled this moment well, right?

[46:42](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2802) And there are obviously many different stakeholders that are committed to ensuring that our public transportation system is fully funded. We will, you know, continue to seek out the best and the brightest for permanency, but this interim has not disrupted our collective work to ensure that our transportation system is fully funded. I mean, it's been about four months, maybe Deputy Mayor Woodway on this, since the RFPs were due for a gunshot detection technology replacement of shot spotter.

[47:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2832) Is that process still happening? Have you identified a candidate to, you know, work with and contract with for gunshot detection technology? Well, let me just first of all say, yes, that process is still underway. And, you know, it's evident that what we've said all along, that that particular form of technology did not necessarily lead to safer communities. Look, I get why people are asking about it. I do. I understand. And we have never been opposed to technology. We just have to do the things that actually work.

[47:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2863) We've seen that even in the neighborhoods where violence has been pervasive, And where that particular detection was there, we've seen significant drop in shootings, shooting victims, and homicides. So that process is still going through a procurement. As you know, the process can be cumbersome, right? And the last time this detection was brought forward, I don't believe it went through a process. It just showed up, right?

[48:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2895) So we're doing things a little differently. Thank you. Good morning, Mayor. How are you? I'm doing well, thank you. How are you? I'm good. I know that you already talked about this, but according to the Constitution, just governors have the power to deploy the National Guard. It already happened in California. So my question is, I would like to know if you can be more specific about your conversations that you mentioned that you just had with Governor Pritzker. Can the Illinois National Guard refuse to follow a presidential order?

[48:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2927) Or have you asked or your administration asked them to inform you in case that they're activated by the president? Well, let me just be very clear. I have not spoken to the governor within the last 24 hours about what just happened. What I referenced was, and this is where we are aligned, that the authority that he is asserting, he doesn't have it. He doesn't. And so... He already have done it in California. him and i'm saying he doesn't have the authority right and he's done a lot of things that he doesn't

[49:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=2963) have the authority to do that's that's my larger point that we have to take that seriously and when i say whether it's legal action or just more voices arising up in this moment calling out the the pharisaical approach that this president is taking that that's incumbent upon all of us Right. You know, none of us can afford to stand idle. This is why I've worked hard to make sure that we're protecting our immigrant community. Right. We've we we were sued by the federal government on our standing, our position.

[50:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3000) You know, the courts rejected his suit. Right. But we've also have put forth policy to ensure that families are supported and protected. It's going to take all of that. Right. And these are unprecedented times. I just hope that we cover it in a way in which it deserves, quite frankly, that it is beyond a boldness. It's a – do you know how when, like, ignorant people do stuff and say stuff and there's no convincing to them of why they're ignorant?

[50:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3035) That's Donald Trump, okay? Yeah. Okay, and another follow-up question regarding – we have sources that inform us that you request $200 million loan for CPS. What will happen if the interim CEO or the future CEO of CBS refused to do that one? We're either going to cut or invest.

[51:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3069) Those are our options right now. I want a fully funded public education system. Parents around the city want that. They're advocating for it. They're also advocating for $1.6 billion that the state of Illinois rightfully owes the children of this city. We're talking 87%, 90% of them are children of color. We're talking about 47% of the school district, I believe, is Latin A.

[51:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3101) 33%, 34% are black. How much more are we going to continue to take from black and brown people? How much more? How much more can black and brown people tolerate in terms of things being snatched away from them? Now, we already got to deal with President Trump's attack against black and brown people. He's so angry with me, he don't even want me to hire black and brown people.

[52:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3131) You understand? And so all I'm simply saying is we have taken so much as government, black, brown, and poor people, he's taking away food and medicine. He's cutting services to veterans. He's literally taking the wealth of this country and placing it into the hands of the few.

[52:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3165) All I'm really trying to offer here is that I understand that people want to focus on $200 million. If ESSER were to be extended, we would have a surplus right now. That's our collective struggle in this moment. This is about the long-term solvency and sustainability of a school district that overwhelmingly services working people, overwhelmingly brown and black people.

[53:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3197) And as mayor of the city of Chicago, and one of the main reasons why I ran for this position is because I want to make sure that brown and black folks, black and brown folks, working people in this city, and don't have to suffer under very hostile circumstances. Thank you for that question. Mr. Mayor, one more topic. The Chicago Bears.

[53:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3230) They're in first place right now, I understand. A tie is a tie. A tie is a tie. But they gave us the clearest indication yet that they plan to pack their bags and move to Orleans and Heights, hoping to break ground on a new stadium by the end of the day. Your thoughts on that? Is the process over in your mind should Chicago start looking for new tenants for Soldier Field? Well, look, I've made it clear from the very beginning. My focus has primarily been on making sure that our education system is fully funded,

[54:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3260) our public transportation system is fully funded, that we are securing progressive revenue. I mean, we have gone as far as to say that if the state of Illinois is reticent to moving on certain progressive revenue ideas, is provide home rule authority so that we can address it. If you look at just the local government distributive fund, we've lost millions of dollars because of the way the configuration has

[54:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3290) favored the state of Illinois to be able to capture those dollars. Same thing with the personal property replacement tax, PPRT. We're talking about millions of dollars. Just those two elements alone have reduced our share of the pie, right? But there are ways in which local government, I'm willing to put forth the ordinance or policy that allows for, again, 127,000 millionaires, 300, 100 millionaires, 25 billionaires, right?

[55:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3326) We have essentially people in the city of Chicago, state of Illinois, that are virtually paying no taxes, right? And so that's where my focus has been. Now, as far as the Bears are concerned, look, there's no secret that I believe they belong in the city of Chicago. Now, there are some hurdles that they have to still go through in Arlington Heights, right? I, you know, I'm always going to be honest. I believe their best efforts should concentrate on the lakefront. And why wouldn't they? I mean, think about the economic boom and growth that we're experiencing in the city of Chicago right now.

[55:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3359) You know, we've had record-breaking days in our airports. Population growth, hotel occupancy has gone up, ridership on our CTA continues to go up, $20 billion of tourism dollars coming to the city of Chicago, violent crime continues to go down. I mean, Joe Monsueto, you know, believes in our vision for the city of Chicago. The All-Star Game, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, coming to Chicago, There's great confidence in our economy right now. So, you know, look, I think the McCaskey family has done, you know, great work, you know, over the course of, you know, 100 years in this city.

[56:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3395) They belong in the city of Chicago. They really do. And I actually believe that most people believe that. But, you know, that's a decision that they will ultimately have to make. But there's not the clearest path for them. They still have some asks of Springfield. So, again, my focus, progressive revenue, education, and transportation. And, of course, my door is always open, though. One of your predecessors once said that if they ever moved to Arlington Heights, he wouldn't let them call themselves the Chicago Bears.

[57:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3427) How do you feel about that? Now, look, I'm going to offer up some breaking news here. Richard J. Daly and I agree on that. Good morning? Yes, good morning. Good morning. Good morning. So it seems like with Mr. Trump, like my late father used to say, you're wasting a lot of time trying to convince a damn fool against his will. Well stated to your late father.

[57:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3459) So my first question, like their suburban counterparts, certain of your hiries, youth hiries for your One Chicago, One Summer, I'm sorry, program are saying they have yet to get the last of their paychecks. This while certain police, new police recruits are saying that they have yet to get their pay from training. And while certain collective bargaining agreement employees have yet to get their COVID pay,

[58:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3495) so pretty much what's up with the mozzarella, fella? You're the only person who can get me to break character. All right. Well, let me just try to run through those quickly. So as far as the police officers, a technical matter, that has been rectified. So that's thing one. As far as COVID pay and the agreement around, you're referring to an agreement with our 9-1-1 dispatchers.

[58:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3532) We have reached an agreement there. And so that will be settled, just like what we did with local to our fire department. So their back pay will be taken care of as well. As far as youth employment, I'll have to look into that one. My understanding is everything closed out well, but I will verify to make sure that if there's a particular organization that you are aware of, if you can leave that information with the gentleman that's standing over to your right, we can get a response to that.

[59:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3563) Okay. This next question deals with Walter Burnett, and there is so much messiness attached to it, I'm just going to try to bundle it as much as I can and let you untangle it. So it's come to our attention that apparently your office put out a letter to HUD asking that he be put back on the table as far as CHA CEO after a meeting with HUD officials two weeks ago where allegedly, and I say allegedly because I wasn't there, you all agreed that he would be taken off the table, one, because of this, I guess, one-year rule.

[1:00:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3600) and two, because there was so much pushback that the Trump administration and HUD did not want any parts of? Well, let me just say, Alderman Burdett is still in contention to lead CHA, and those conversations have been had about how this rule applies or does not apply. Our understanding as our Department of Law digs through this in earnest, our understanding thus far indicates that he is qualified and not out of contention to be able to, if the board agrees, to lead the CHA.

[1:00:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3646) But it is, you're right, it's very, there's a very complex entanglement there, but as our Department of Law unpacks it and works with HUD, our initial indication is that as convoluted as this element is, it does not preclude him if the board, CHA board, agrees to lead CHA. Thank you. And wait a minute, one question on behalf of Prosperity. Wait a minute, this is very important. One question on behalf of Prosperity, who couldn't be here today, but noticed something.

[1:01:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3678) And her question is, what is the CPD's relationship with ICE ahead of this Trump threat? Because she said yesterday she was at a police station, and she noticed some masked people going back and forth between the parking lot. And the police station. So again, we collaborate with federal agents on a number of issues, particularly around guns being trafficked through our city, which is quite severe, human trafficking.

[1:01:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3717) But there is no coordination with federal ICE agents and the Chicago Police Department. We are a welcoming city ordinance, and we will maintain that status. I think we're going to end this with a follow-up. Surprise. Hi, Mayor. Hi. On the Bears, Rep. Cam Buckner says Springfield should not give the Bears a property tax break now that their eyes are on Arlington Heights. What are your thoughts on that specifically? You know, well, you know, look, I think that there's been some alignment around what the expectation should be from the Bears, which I've always said they have to put as much skin in the game as possible.

[1:02:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3764) And as far as the Chicago proposal, the proposal was, you know, $2.2 billion, I believe. So 72%, 75% of the stadium would be paid for by the Bears. They would rectify and deal with the $600 million that's still owed on the current stadium and that we would own it. The city of Chicago would own it, right? And furthermore, what they were asking for, which all franchise asks for ISPA dollars,

[1:03:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3800) which are state-controlled dollars that are designed to build stadiums. That's the only thing that they do. So essentially, the stadium in Chicago would be financed 72%, 75% by the Bears and the other 20%, 25% by visitors, essentially, because the ISPA revenue is generated from the hotel tax. To your colleague's question, it's why I've said, like, I don't have, you know, those levers, right, as the state does in terms of how they could approach the bears in this situation.

[1:04:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3842) Now, I know that they're going to need infrastructure dollars, whether they are in Chicago or Arlington Heights. What's interesting enough, though, is that the infrastructure dollars that are being asked for in Arlington Heights would require what you just described, versus in Chicago, that requirement is unnecessary. In fact, that entire campus from the Obama Center all the way to Navy Pier, everybody agrees that infrastructure dollars there are a worthwhile investment

[1:04:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3873) because it allows for traffic to be able to move better in a more efficient way. So, again, I try not to get into the responsibility and duty of state reps and state senators. All I'm simply saying is that the proposal in Chicago, there is a lot of benefit to that. proposal, right? We're talking about thousands of construction jobs, literally thousands of construction

[1:05:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk?t=3903) jobs. I believe it's estimated about $8 billion of income tax that would be generated from this project. So, you know, again, I know the Bears are committed to, you know, their fan base, you know, and, you know, my door will remain open. All right, did we get through all of them? All right, well done, y'all. Next shot. Thank you.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/T0RDLR2K1wk · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt