CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- One political expert says new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signaled that he is ready to work with the City Council and other officials to confront Chicago’s many challenges. And he did not gloss over the magnitude of the problems.
Constance Mixon, Director of Urban Studies at Elmhurst University, said Brandon Johnson didn't shy away from any of the challenges facing Chicago in his inaugural address. He cited everything from homelessness to crime on the CTA and migrants arriving and residents fleeing the city, but invoking what he called the soul of Chicago.
He said the city can face the problems together. "It's still questionable, like how are you going to do all of these things," she asked.
"Everything was very broad and inspirational, but he at least identified the challenges I had on my list of things that are facing the city head- on and I appreciate it at the very beginning when he turned around to applaud City Council."
Four years ago, Lori Lightfoot scolded the council over corruption and unbridled power over zoning in their wards.
Mixon noted the Mayor even name-checked the officials he's calling on for help-some of whom have clashed with each other.
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