# Mayor Brandon Johnson Press Briefing 06.30.26

- Date: June 30, 2026
- Type: Video
- Length: 37:54
- Topic: Press conferences
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyUgC8P1Mv0)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 5,633 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/iyUgC8P1Mv0.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Legislation

- [SOr2024-0007759: Call on Mayor Brandon Johnson to remedy by Ward choice whether to remove Sound Thinking/ShotSpotter surveillance technol](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/SOr2024-0007759-call-mayor-brandon-johnson-remedy-ward)
- [R2026-0023372: Call on Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration to implement Year 2026 budget package](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0023372-call-mayor-brandon-johnson-his-administration)

## Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s press availability on June 30th, 2026

## Transcript

[0:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=6) Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here today. Before we begin, I want to acknowledge the profound sense of relief that so many Chicagoans and people across this country are feeling, particularly after the Supreme Court reaffirmed the Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship. Since the President returned to office, families in our city and across the country have lived with uncertainty and profound fear. They have watched aggressive immigration enforcement escalate. They have seen federal agents deploy into communities, and many have lived with the possibility and the real fear and the deep instability of the unimaginable chaos of having birthright citizenship taken away.

[0:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=51) Today's decision reaffirms a simple but fundamental truth. If you are born in the United States, you are a citizen of the United States. That promise is rooted in the 14th Amendment adopted after the Civil War to ensure that the formerly enslaved people were recognized as full citizens and guaranteed equal protection under the law. It was one of our nation's clearest declarations that citizenship is not determined by race, ancestry, or where you come from. For generations, that promise has affirmed something bigger than legal status.

[1:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=86) It has affirmed that every child born here belongs here. Our city joined a coalition of 106 jurisdictions across 26 states in speaking out against the administration's baseless attempt to dismantle birthright citizenship. Today's decision allows our residents to continue to live, work, and contribute to the fabric of our city without fear of losing their most fundamental right. We are proud to have stood in defense of the health, safety, and dignity of our communities. No family should have to wonder whether their child's place in this country can ever be taken away.

[2:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=121) No child should grow up questioning whether they belong in the only home that they've ever known. Chicago will always stand for the belief that every person deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. And that is what our Constitution promises, and that is a promise worth defending. We will continue to use every lever of government at our disposal, and we will stand with Chicagoans every step of the way. As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Chicago joins cities across the country in celebration and commemoration.

[2:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=156) I'm grateful that we can mark this moment by continuing to uphold our shared values of freedom, belonging, and community. And we know this city is at its best when we come together in that same spirit. We need to have the spirit of celebration, celebration with one another, and, of course, we have to look out for one another. And with that in mind, as people gather with family and friends, please be safe this weekend. Stay close to your loved ones, know where your kids are, and check in on one another, especially our senior neighbors, during this period of high temperatures.

[3:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=191) Please take steps now to protect yourself from the heat. You can do that by wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing. Keep your blinds and shades closed during the hottest parts of the day to help keep your home cool and stay hydrated. Chicago currently has 287 cooling facilities that are available citywide, including police districts, community service centers, Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District facilities, as well as senior centers.

[3:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=225) Anyone needing assistance, locating the nearest cooling center, requesting a well-being check, or connecting to shelter services should call 311. Seniors and caregivers can also contact the senior services hotline for additional support. We are continuing to create safe spaces for our young people through citywide summer activations and programming, and we're doing this so that they have places to gather to stay engaged and, most of all, stay safe.

[4:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=255) And city departments will continue monitoring weather conditions closely and adjusting resources to ensure communities are receiving the support that they need. And on that note, safety and affordability go hand in hand. Keeping people safe always means making sure that they have affordable places to call home. Earlier today, I joined the North Lawndale community to break ground on another missing middle housing initiative development, a $6.5 million investment that's going to transform eight vacant lots into new homes for Chicago families.

[4:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=289) Across the west side, we have approved projects that will transform 55 vacant lots into 70 new multi-unit buildings valued at more than $68 million. To date, our administration has secured approval for more than 100 missing middle buildings that will create more than 300 homes across the south and west sides of the city of Chicago. All of this has been brought to us by the largest economic development bond in the history of Chicago, $1.25 billion.

[5:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=319) And yesterday, we were proud to announce our Protecting Renters Ordinance. Renters are protected from predatory landlords, expensive and unexplained junk fees, displacement, and no-fault evictions. Safer neighborhoods are built not only through public safety investments, but through stable housing, strong communities, and, of course, opportunities that allow families to put down roots. building safer and more affordable communities also require financial stewardship.

[5:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=351) And for more than two decades, Chicago has faced reoccurring structural budget challenges. Last year, we created the Chicago Financial Future Task Force because addressing those challenges requires more than just balancing one budget at a time. It requires long-term vision. This task force reaffirmed what we hear across Chicago. Residents want transparency and accountability. They want to understand how decisions are made, who bears the cause, and who benefits.

[6:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=384) But they also want to know how every investment improves their daily lives. And then, of course, they want to remain a part of that conversation. With those findings in mind, we are committed and we remain vigilant in building a stable, financially secure, affordable, safe city. We will continue engaging with residents through our annual budget engagement roundtables, communicating openly and ensuring Chicagoans have a seat at the table as we build a stronger financial future for Chicago.

[6:57](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=417) I'm grateful to the Chicagoans, especially the young people who participated in this year's budget engagement as we planned for the 2027 budget. Through those conversations, we will continue to build the safest, most affordable big city in America. When we make those investments, people take notice. Last year, nearly 57 million visitors spent a record $21.5 billion in Chicago, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and generating economic activity across our city.

[7:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=451) If a city is good enough to visit, it should be affordable enough to live in so more people can call it home. That is the future we are building together, and we will continue doing that work every single day. Thank you all. And with that, I'm happy to answer any of your questions. Good afternoon, Mayor. Thank you for doing this. Good afternoon, of course. The Chicago Financial Future Task Force, which you referred to, said Chicago must improve its pension sustainability,

[8:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=488) modernize operations, and grow the tax base. Do you agree with that? And what are your plans to do those three things? Also, is it the right time for a congestion fee? Well, we definitely agree that the best way to grow our economy is to invest in people, and particularly neighborhoods that have been historically locked out of the financial opportunities that this city obviously possesses. We saw last year, again, record-breaking numbers in terms of visitors coming to our city, spending billions of dollars in local businesses, building more affordable homes, creating a broader tax base.

[8:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=524) That is how we repair the structural damage that, of course, that I inherited. Speaking of which, the pensions in Chicago and Illinois have long been a liability that have not been properly funded. The real task is that we have to come together as leaders to push for progressive revenue to ensure that our pensions are protected. Look, they are constitutionally protected. Now, if we are committed to protecting the long-term retirement of our workers,

[9:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=556) we have to be just as vigilant to make sure that we're funding it. So I believe that there's an incredible amount of alignment around ensuring that our pensions are actually properly funded. By generating progressive revenue to do that, and then of course growing the economy is something that I've been very much focused on. And that's why we've made the critical investments in the communities to grow the tax base. It's why we've also made the critical investments to drive violence down in our city. Violence in and of itself has been an inhibitor, if you will, of economic development.

[9:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=587) Now that we are seeing historic lows, still work to be done, it's why I believe that more businesses and more visitors are becoming more attracted to our city. That task force also recommended tying property taxes to inflation. It'll be election season in the fall, winter. Will you rule out raising property taxes? Well, look, you know, obviously my commitment has always been around generating progressive revenue. Look, the city council is going to go through a robust process. like they always do, and I'm going to help lead that charge by ensuring that we're making the investments

[10:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=623) that will ensure that a safe and affordable big city in America is actually finally realized. And my second question just says... That's a third question. No, that was just a follow-up. I just wanted to ask about our colleagues at CBS Chicago. What do you know about the racist attack on them? Oh, it's CBS. Oh, yes. Okay. Yeah, I mean, you know, look, you know, I've said that hate in all forms, when it shows up, it doesn't have a place here in Chicago.

[10:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=655) I'm grateful that these employees are still with us. But the longstanding trauma that comes with that type of racist hatred towards any individual can be quite profound. You know, we have a new commissioner who believes in my vision for creating safe communities and making sure that no one particular group are ever singled out or targeted because of their faith, because of their race, because of their gender.

[11:30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=690) All forms of hate have to be eradicated. Thank you. You're welcome. So Bally says that if the city council doesn't repeal video gambling, that they will, they're threatening legal action and that it doesn't just put in jeopardy those $4 million annual payments, but the entire agreement, the jobs, the benefits, you know, do you agree that if the city council doesn't repeal video gambling, that all of that has to be renegotiated? Well, it certainly is a concern of mine. And, you know, my position has been, you know, quite clear around, you know, these terminals and the impact that it could have on the agreement that was secure.

[12:17](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=737) You know, to the extent of that impact, you know, I hope that we don't find ourselves in a situation where we would even have to litigate such a decision. I'm going to continue to work with city council members to highlight the importance of making sure that we're withholding and holding on to an agreement that was securely and obviously established. Bally's has retained the law firm where former Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a partner.

[12:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=770) What do you make of that, that she might be, you know, in essence, helping Bally's make the case, this legal case, that video gambling needs to be overturned? Look, my focus is, you know, ensuring that, you know, the city council recognizes the partnership that Bally's has made with the city of Chicago, the jobs and the revenue that's associated with this agreement is something that we have to work to preserve. You know, whatever decision that this company, this private corporation makes and who they hire,

[13:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=806) you know, obviously I don't have any control over that. Hi, Mayor. Hi. We found that over the last few years the CARE program faced issues with first CFD staffing its paramedics, then police removing these PDT devices from the vans, and also CDPH not filling vacancies. Were you aware of these problems as they came up, and how much did you try to direct these departments to correct courts faster? Well, look, my commitment and investment in public mental health services,

[13:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=838) it's in a, I'm only second to mayor here at Washington. You know, so, you know, he is the greatest of all times, particularly as it relates to public mental health care services. When he was taken from us, there were 19 mental health clinics that were publicly supported. When I was sworn in, we were down to six. So what did I do? I reopened three of them. We've expanded care from a pilot into a full operation across every single police district.

[14:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=869) Now, obviously, when we're building something new, something transformational as this, the layered approach towards ensuring that this new initiative works for the benefit of the people, I'm going to continue to make sure that these departments are aware of those desires. Now, look, we're already prepared to move to evening hours coming into the summer months. And as far as those vacancies are concerned, I know the department is working diligently to fill them.

[15:05](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=905) And what about the status of these police PDTs? I'm sorry, you did ask that. Yeah, so we're working to have those PDTs restored. Do you know by when? And, you know, why has it been almost a year now without them? Well, again, as I said, this is a brand-new program. It's unprecedented. It's the first of its kind in the city of Chicago. We have our own unique set of circumstances that exist in Chicago. But here's one thing that I can assure you. We promise to expand and bring care to every single district and every single community around the city.

[15:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=936) We've done that. We're extending hours into the evening. And, of course, we're investing in mental health across the board. We saw the increase in terms of appointments by 57 percent, almost 58 percent, so 40,000 people have made appointments. There's obviously a need here, and transformation does require not just an aggressive response, but it has to be fully funded. The last thing that I'll say is that's why we passed the first of its kind, the smart tax.

[16:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=968) No other government in the history of this country did it before us. and all of those revenues that are projecting to generate more than what our forecast initially projected will all be dedicated to mental and behavioral health care services. There's no mayor outside of Mayor Herra Washington that has ever given more to behavior and mental health care support services than me. Thank you for taking the question, Mayor. Of course. I wanted to ask you about two things.

[16:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=999) One is about the debt collection plan that's part of City Council's budget. The city is moving forward with its chosen Bank of America as the placement agent to move forward with that sale of the debt collection piece. What's your expectation in terms of how things are going to move forward and if that's going to help you close the budget gap this year? Well, the hope is that this could. What I said from the very beginning, it was a bad idea. And unfortunately, look, I didn't want to be right about this situation, but the city council had a decision to make.

[17:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1030) We could have taxed the top .5% corporations in the city of Chicago to generate $100 million, or they could have done what they did, which was to seek debt collectors on working people. I thought it was the wrong decision. I still think it's the wrong decision, but, again, I'm going to do my part to help support this effort. So you think it's going to help close the budget gap for this year? I mean, I think what we're seeing right now is that it has generated zero dollars.

[17:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1061) And what about the parking meter situation last week? It was disclosed that the city had bid about $3.3 billion, but the winning bid from a private company was about $2.5 billion. Why the gap? Can you explain why the city outbid somebody else before it pulled back its bid? Well, we didn't outbid anyone. We didn't go through on it, right? Look, this is the worst deal in the history of municipal financing. The parameters that were established and set before us, you know, our financial team went through a process that, you know,

[18:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1098) once it was clear to me what the expectations were in order for us to buy back the parking meters, I decided not to do it because I didn't think it was it wasn't the right call based upon what was being asked of the city. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. So I think a lot of us who live in the city have been hearing fireworks go off all week and will probably continue to go off. In the past when we've asked CPD, you know, this is illegal.

[18:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1130) Why do we still have these giant fireworks displays at Winamax Park and Independence Park? And my dog is freaking out and my veteran father is freaking out. And CPD says, we've got bigger fish to fry. Should people feel like the city is responsive when they say it sounds like a war zone here, or is it just there's nothing much we can do about it? Well, look, we have to celebrate safely, right? I mean, that's, you know, those were in my opening remarks. And, look, I don't think you're alone, to your point.

[19:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1162) You know, when you live on a block and, you know, you hear it going off and it's close to you, it is nerve-wracking, right? So we can acknowledge that. So between the fire department as well as the police department doing everything in their power to enforce it, you know, where there are, you know, where there is law enforcement, where this behavior is conducted, you know, I trust that they're going to hold those folks accountable. But it's not something that I don't think we should ever tolerate. But it's, you know, unfortunately, this is something that, you know, we've seen in this city for, I mean, I'm 50, right?

[20:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1200) So I don't know how long you've experienced this. Fifty-seven years. Fifty-seven years, right? Well, that is very brave of you. You know, but, you know, again, you know, our first responders are aware of the dangers of these fireworks, and, you know, we do everything in our power to enforce the law. On the evening after Pride in Lakeview, we saw the traditional flood of young people coming in and CPD was out in full force and stopped people from getting off the Belmont-El and closed down the streets.

[20:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1237) There are going to be some people who are going to protest a district meeting, the 19th district meeting tonight, saying it was overkill, it was too much. Do you feel like because really there were no serious injuries that happened and that it kind of ended after 1030 that it was a success, or do you feel like it was heavy-handed? There were multiple dispersal orders that were given, and the people that were gathering did not respond.

[21:11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1271) They were given multiple opportunities to disperse, and they didn't do it. And that authority exists, as I've said repeatedly. And here's an instance in which that in which that authority was was was lifted up before the curfew officially kicked in and people didn't respond. Now, my work every day is to keep people safe. And I believe there were over 30 arrests.

[21:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1303) 31 were adults. Six were underage. I'm not sure if there were any weapons that were confiscated there. I have to double check. But, again, the responsibility that we have as a city to keep people safe is the top responsibility. Thank you. How are you doing, Mayor Johnson? I'm doing well, thank you. I mean, honestly, I'm doing well. I mean, the Cubs are playing much better now.

[22:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1336) I've learned not to wear Cardinals red in your presence, sir. Yeah, yeah. The next time I'll make sure I wear my ABC hat, but Sarah's not here for me to give it to her anyway. Yeah, Craig's got the hookup. A question about heat response you mentioned a little bit in your opening remarks. So I'm wondering if you have any information about numbers of people who've been seeking cooling resources, anything from, God forbid, the medical examiner, any updates on how the city is absorbing the heat emergency.

[22:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1370) Well, so far, Chicago is really doing a good job showing up for one another. Our cooling centers across the city have been open. In terms of the actual numbers, in terms of our 3-1-1, I actually got that number this morning. I don't remember it, of how many calls came in for cooling assistance. I still think most of those calls were centered around shelter and what was the other one, Keith? Do you remember? Yeah. I don't know how many people have actually called for cooling support,

[23:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1404) But what I do know is to the last part of your inquiry, we have not, there has been no reporting of any deaths related to the heat. And a question back to the Financial Future Task Force. We were talking with Mayor Freeman Wilson, who's one of the co-chairs of the task force. And she talked a little bit about one of the provisions that they talked about with other people, and it had to do with garbage pickup fees.

[23:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1434) Of course, the city hasn't changed its garbage pickup fee in a long time, and it doesn't come close to covering the cost of said fee. And what she said was that when people were asked, hey, would you be willing to pay more, as she put it, to a person, to a neighborhood, they said they would be. You last year threatened to veto a budget that had any kind of a garbage pickup fee increase in it. Is that something you're planning to hold to for this cycle? Well, you also... I know that there were people who were asked, should we tax the rich and even administer the corporate head tax, I believe it was at 80%.

[24:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1473) So my preference is always to generate revenue from the entities that have the means. And so my preference still remains, right? And, you know, look, it's an important note, though, and I do appreciate, you know, both of our chairs, you know, Jim and Karen, who did a pretty solid job. What I believe is important to note here is that city services, people expect the delivery of those services, whether it's picking up trash, you know, trimming trees,

[25:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1507) and especially after these last couple of storms, you know, the effort to trim trees in Chicago in a more equitable way is something that we are obviously directionally stronger in. But I think my preference is to go after progressive revenue, and I just believe that we have not exhausted to the fullest, I believe, to ensure that whether it's city services or one of your colleagues mentioned

[25:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1539) about paying into our pensions, there's still dollars that we are leaving on the table from government from entities that have the ability to contribute more. Of course. And what is that, by the way? Is that a Penguin? What brand is that? Original Penguin. Okay, it's good. Do they have long sleeves? Yeah. Okay.

[26:14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1574) Mayor, if I can pick up on something you said. When you were talking about the task force earlier, you said that it reaffirmed what we hear across Chicago. Residents want transparency and accountability. City council members, after the parking meter hearing last week, are complaining that, first of all, there was no transparency in sharing with them who would have to vote on it about what the city was bidding. They were alarmed that it was $800 million over the next closest bidder, and they want to know how is that being transparent,

[26:45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1605) and how is bidding $800 million higher than anyone else being accountable with the city's dollars? Can you address that? Yeah, I'm happy to. First of all, the nondisclosure agreement, which was a part of the confines of the actual bid, So any entity that wanted to bid on the parking meters had to agree to it because could you imagine if people knew what each other would essentially – what people would be bidding, right? And so you would not have a process that was integral, right?

[27:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1640) So that's actually a pretty standard procedure. And again, with the information that we had and what the financial team put forward, it still wasn't acceptable for me. And so clearly, once that bid was submitted and I took a look and began to assess it even closer, I decided not to go through with it. And so we didn't do what some people were alarmed by.

[27:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1675) We didn't do that, right? As well, we stayed within the confines of the way the structure works. No entity that placed a bid was allowed to say out loud what that bid was. And you understand why, right? But from the hearing, just to follow up on the hearing, James Wiper said that the NDA was waived on June 12th. And yet city council members are saying, you know, we weren't even briefed on this in private.

[28:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1707) We were kept shut out by the administration who's going to be asking us to vote on this. Do you understand their frustration? No, I don't, quite frankly. We're talking about two different things here. The first question you asked was how come city council did not know what the bid was? That's the first question, correct? Right. I explained to you that the way this structure is established, no entity could disclose what their bid was.

[28:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1738) And you do understand why that would not work, right? Okay. Now, fast forward to June 12th. Once the information was allowed to be presented, the city council has everything that they need. They can vote on it in July. They can vote on it in September. They can vote on it in October. They have all the information and all the support that they need to make a decision on whether or not they're going to support this accusation.

[29:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1769) So they have everything that they need. That was a follow-up. With the Supreme Court's rulings today, and now they have agreed to take on the challenge to Cook County's assault weapons ban, reading the tea leaves from the Supreme Court today, does that give you any concerns about how they might rule in the assault weapons ban case, which they're going to take up later this year? I'm certainly concerned about this Supreme Court and their propensity to roll back measures that protect working people.

[30:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1812) As far as what they'll do in this particular case, the only thing that I can do is work with entities across this country to ensure that we are keeping illegal and high-powered weapons off the streets in America with the number of mass shootings that have occurred all over this country, and that includes red states, illegal weapons that are being trafficked across this country. most of which are flowing from red states.

[30:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1844) I believe it's incumbent upon us as a nation to stand shoulder to shoulder to ensure that these high-powered weapons that are designed for war do not get a clear pathway to cause more harm to families who've already suffered a great deal of harm with gun violence. Good afternoon and happy anniversary lockdown. Is it 24th or 25th?

[31:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1875) Thank you. It's 28 years. You always make me blush, Mark. Based on continuing outbreaks of trend mob actions lately on the far southwest side, I believe from Washington Heights to West Morgan or East Morgan Park rather, and of trend mob actions despite his hit or miss Dr. Spocky and youth leaders saying that such soft deterrents as boys and girls club activities are not enough.

[31:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1909) When are you going to heed what the fed up and frustrated grown adults want and join other major cities such as Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta on balancing with robust crackdowns? As people are saying, enough is enough, and the excuses are getting real old. Well, it's interesting that you mention those cities because those cities have, and I've spoken directly with Mayor Sheffield, and if you listen to her presentation, she says the same thing that I say, which is what?

[32:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1942) Accountability and opportunity. There's nothing magical that's happening across this country as it relates to creating opportunities for our young people. That frustration is across the board, right? and I've expressed that. They're saying it's not enough. You've had youth leaders say it's not enough. Okay. You have a second question? You have another question? No, I was letting you finish. I finished. Yeah, I do have a second question. Before I move on to that second question, my colleague, Teal Hardiman, asked me to put this forward to you

[32:54](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=1974) as to when you were going to get back to him on violence interrupters, and I'll let you all sort that out because that's not my main focus. Because that's between the two. All right. Thank you. So I asked. So the second question is, as the terms for the Chicago Housing Authority member and also mayoral candidate, Matthew Brewer and vice chair, James, Mattacki, Mattacki, and sorry, expires this summer, our cauldron of sources say that your fifth floor overreach with what's supposed to be an independent board is placing it at odds with the Department of Housing and Urban Development compliance.

[33:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2012) and driving CHA toward a potential federal takeover. How do you answer that as the CHA has this three-day retreat that started yesterday and a combination meeting out in Oak Brook? Well, look, as I've said multiple times, you know, housing, affordability, and particularly public housing plays a part in carrying out my vision.

[34:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2043) And I've worked in collaboration with... all of our sister agencies and city departments to secure safe and affordable communities. And I think the last thing that I'll say here is, you know, look, I know that there is a, you know, a hyper proclivity to work to politicize the authority that I have. What I find to be somewhat disingenuous, not from you,

[34:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2077) is that this notion that these boards are independent, And when other mayors sat in this seat, no one ever spoke about the independence of those boards, I can tell you, because those boards, whether it was a school board, I watched how they took the direction of a mayor to shut down schools. I watched how public housing was shut down in Cabrini-Green, the very communities in which I taught in. I have cousins who were raised there. So this notion that somehow these boards are independent of a mayor, where was that call and cry for independence when our people were being harmed by those boards with the direction of the fifth floor?

[35:18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2118) And again, you know this, Mark, firsthand, because you've seen this. You've seen me grow in this organizing struggle where I fought against school closings, a board that was ostensibly independent, where we actually had to fight to keep public mental health clinics open, you know, boards that are ostensibly independent of the mayor's office. But I watched all those boards take directions from the mayor to destroy our communities.

[35:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2149) And now that I'm here, where I'm not closing schools, I'm investing in them. I'm not shutting down public housing. I'm investing in it. Now, all of a sudden, people want to talk about their independence. So independence only applies when we're investing in the west and south side of Chicago. But you don't have to be independent when you're destroying the west and south side of the city of Chicago. And so that's not on you. I'm just saying that they make. Look, I mean, I mean, I think you can draw your own conclusions from it.

[36:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2184) What I'm simply saying is that these boards that all of a sudden now have this independent status. Where was their independence when black parents were pleading and begging to keep their schools open? Where was this so-called independence when black folks were saying, look, if you're going to transform public housing, you have to include us. And now I'm investing in schools. I'm investing in public housing. I'm ensuring that transportation actually exists across this city. And now all of a sudden people want to talk about independence.

[36:55](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2215) You know the last time they talked about independent boards is when Mayor Harold Washington was here. People get real extra when you have someone who has the core values and beliefs that I have. Ensuring that working people are no longer ignored. People want to talk about independence and transparency. And I've watched administration after administration use those boards to screw our people over. And here I am loving them, investing them, seeing them, showing up for them.

[37:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0?t=2245) And all of a sudden people want to act independent of the mayor. Well, here's what we should do. How about we act in the interest of working people? If we actually did that, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But I'm going to continue to work hard to ensure that we build the safest, most affordable big city in America. So please let the cauldron of sources know that I said hello. Thank you all very much. Go Cubbies.

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/iyUgC8P1Mv0 · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt