CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said he’s already been working with soon-to-be Interim Police Supt. Fred Waller and others to craft plans for preventing this summer in Chicago from becoming a very violent one. He described the approach he’s expecting as a layered one.
“That means the business community has a seat at the table to help formulate our plans,” he said. “Obviously, those individuals and organizations that are committed to violence intervention and prevention — I should say violence prevention, rather — that those individuals and institutions have a seat at the table.”
Johnson added that the faith community should play a role, as well. He told WBBM that there is no one who wants to see violence in the city reduced more than him.
“It’s something that I’ve been focusing on throughout my entire political career,” he said. “I’m raising a family in Chicago. I think about the violence that happens in the city of Chicago on a daily basis.”
He lives in Austin, on the West Side.
The former teacher and Cook County Board commissioner will be inaugurated as mayor on Monday. The inauguration follows a whirlwind week in which he traveled to Washington, D.C., met with Vice President Kamala Harris and members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, and named his top staffers.
Although Johnson didn’t complain when he was asked if he had time to catch his breath, it was clear the answer was “no.” He told WBBM he’s been carried along by the excitement of his April 4 victory over Paul Vallas.
“There is a tremendous opportunity for us to do something transformational, but it’s going to take all hands on deck,” he said.
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was the guest on this week’s “At Issue” program. Listen to the full interview below, or listen live when it airs on WBBM at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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