Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is now searching for a new point person on public safety, after apparently firing one of his most high-profile advisers.
In the first days of his administration, the mayor brought in Illinois Justice Project director Garien Gatewood as the city's first deputy mayor for community safety.
His job was to spearhead the mayor's initiatives to address the root causes of crime in the city, and he's been prominent as the mayor has lauded Chicago's drop in violent crime.
But the mayor's office confirms that Gatewood is no longer in the administration, effective immediately.
First deputy Jason Sanford, who joined the city back in May after serving in the Pritzker Administration, will handle Gatewood's duties until the mayor appoints a successor, which a spokesperson says will happen "swiftly."
The mayor's office has not said what prompted Gatewood's apparent firing, and Johnson typically insists on not discussing personnel decisions publicly, but a spokesperson released statement saying the administration is "fully committed to making sure investments in public safety continue to improve the lives of our neighbors."