CHICAGO | Politics and Current Events

[moorhosj1]

Lynn Sweet is probably the best political commentator covering Chicago. Her take, which I agree with, is that both candidates swiftly moved to the center during the run-off. The best hope is that Johnson learned things during the election process, moderated his ideas, and has a more balanced platform. Some of the comments here completely ignore the actual policies these guys talked about the last 2 weeks.

The runoff found Brandon Johnson galloping toward the center, moving away from his lefty tax-the-rich, defund-the-police pals who are alienating some liberal Democrats who don’t agree with extremist politics.

The runoff showed the more conservative Paul Vallas sprinting away from statements he made about abortion rights while distancing himself from the footsie he played with Republicans.

This Chicago mayoral campaign rivals’ dash to the center is going to be instructive for national Democrats as President Joe Biden seeks a second term and Democrats try to reclaim the House and keep the Senate. Biden’s pragmatic approach to politics and policies is validated — just look at the pivots from the Vallas and Johnson campaigns.

Democrats can use this election as a cautionary case study: Middle-class, older Black voters, whom Democrats absolutely must have to keep the White House and control Congress, are not, writ large, that progressive, especially compared with Chicago’s white voters in the north lakefront wards.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Kenmore

clay is great, so happy 4 uptown

it had become way too expensive

really savoring all the i'm leaving chicago posts

Not sure why are you so proud with your trolling..Johnson's win means everyone in Chicago loses.

[OrdoSeclorum]

I voted for Lightfoot in February and Vallas this week. For two reasons 1) Vallas is the lower variance candidate. 2) With a moderate almost-Republican white guy in office, there would be an off-ramp for the unfair narrative about Chicago being a crime-ridden hell-hole. A small drop in crime and Fox and other crank sources would be "See! Chicago is great now that the whites are in charge." I don't like that framing, but it would be good for the city's national image.

Regardless, what this city needs is livability improvements that cause people to move here. Business follows talent and that increase in the tax base is the best way for us to get through a potentially challenging decade of budgets.

Brandon Johnson is a strong advocate for:
—Improved ped/bike infrastructure
—Sidewalk and traffic-calming street improvements
—Signal priority and "true BRT lines"
—Free transit for students, seniors
—Low-cost bike programs & expanded Divvy
—Lower speed limits

If he liberalizes zoning, makes the streets narrower, the sidewalks wider and fills the city with bike lanes it would be amazing. And if he tempers his worst impulses--or is forced to temper them by the council--he may be a success. He's got a chance and now that he's in office I'll be pulling for him.

Johnson is also in no way tied to the old Chicago machine. Is it possible that there really are entrenched, monied, crony interests that have been lining their pockets and holding Chicago back? Maybe. Johnson may not be experienced enough to be wary of upsetting them and accidentally initiate some positive change.

If he fails, he will probably fail hard. And we might be able to vote for someone better than Vallas in four years. It really bugged me that he didn't live in the city. We deserved a better candidate than Vallas, who as a candidate was basically just not-Johnson.

[Chisouthside]

council wars 2.0

[SamInTheLoop]

Guys, all this bedwetting is really pathetic.

[moorhosj1]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

Regardless, what this city needs is livability improvements that cause people to move here. Business follows talent and that increase in the tax base is the best way for us to get through a potentially challenging decade of budgets.

Brandon Johnson is a strong advocate for:
—Improved ped/bike infrastructure
—Sidewalk and traffic-calming street improvements
—Signal priority and "true BRT lines"
—Free transit for students, seniors
—Low-cost bike programs & expanded Divvy
—Lower speed limits

If he liberalizes zoning, makes the streets narrower, the sidewalks wider and fills the city with bike lanes it would be amazing. And if he tempers his worst impulses--or is forced to temper them by the council--he may be a success. He's got a chance and now that he's in office I'll be pulling for him.

One of the best posts I've read on this board. If Johnson focuses on quality-of-life improvements in the neighborhoods, I think he can have success. For me, that means

• Schools
• Safety
• Transportation

These all deteriorated under Lightfoot, but the budget outlook improved. Notable improvement in any 2 of the above areas will be success.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

I voted for Lightfoot in February and Vallas this week. For two reasons 1) Vallas is the lower variance candidate. 2) With a moderate almost-Republican white guy in office, there would be an off-ramp for the unfair narrative about Chicago being a crime-ridden hell-hole. A small drop in crime and Fox and other crank sources would be "See! Chicago is great now that the whites are in charge." I don't like that framing, but it would be good for the city's national image.

Regardless, what this city needs is livability improvements that cause people to move here. Business follows talent and that increase in the tax base is the best way for us to get through a potentially challenging decade of budgets.

Brandon Johnson is a strong advocate for:
—Improved ped/bike infrastructure
—Sidewalk and traffic-calming street improvements
—Signal priority and "true BRT lines"
—Free transit for students, seniors
—Low-cost bike programs & expanded Divvy
—Lower speed limits

If he liberalizes zoning, makes the streets narrower, the sidewalks wider and fills the city with bike lanes it would be amazing. And if he tempers his worst impulses--or is forced to temper them by the council--he may be a success. He's got a chance and now that he's in office I'll be pulling for him.

Johnson is also in no way tied to the old Chicago machine. Is it possible that there really are entrenched, monied, crony interests that have been lining their pockets and holding Chicago back? Maybe. Johnson may not be experienced enough to be wary of upsetting them and accidentally initiate some positive change.

If he fails, he will probably fail hard. And we might be able to vote for someone better than Vallas in four years. It really bugged me that he didn't live in the city. We deserved a better candidate than Vallas, who as a candidate was basically just not-Johnson.

This is exactly how I feel. Except I didn't vote for Lightfoot in round 1.

[SamInTheLoop]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

I voted for Lightfoot in February and Vallas this week. For two reasons 1) Vallas is the lower variance candidate. 2) With a moderate almost-Republican white guy in office, there would be an off-ramp for the unfair narrative about Chicago being a crime-ridden hell-hole. A small drop in crime and Fox and other crank sources would be "See! Chicago is great now that the whites are in charge." I don't like that framing, but it would be good for the city's national image.

Regardless, what this city needs is livability improvements that cause people to move here. Business follows talent and that increase in the tax base is the best way for us to get through a potentially challenging decade of budgets.

Brandon Johnson is a strong advocate for:
—Improved ped/bike infrastructure
—Sidewalk and traffic-calming street improvements
—Signal priority and "true BRT lines"
—Free transit for students, seniors
—Low-cost bike programs & expanded Divvy
—Lower speed limits

If he liberalizes zoning, makes the streets narrower, the sidewalks wider and fills the city with bike lanes it would be amazing. And if he tempers his worst impulses--or is forced to temper them by the council--he may be a success. He's got a chance and now that he's in office I'll be pulling for him.

Johnson is also in no way tied to the old Chicago machine. Is it possible that there really are entrenched, monied, crony interests that have been lining their pockets and holding Chicago back? Maybe. Johnson may not be experienced enough to be wary of upsetting them and accidentally initiate some positive change.

If he fails, he will probably fail hard. And we might be able to vote for someone better than Vallas in four years. It really bugged me that he didn't live in the city. We deserved a better candidate than Vallas, who as a candidate was basically just not-Johnson.

Overall this is a fairly sharp post and much to agree with. That stated, with your point #2 (acknowledge you caveat that you do not like the framing!), it almost reads like a concession that locales around the US should allow Fox News and the right wing media ecosystem to be held hostage by their racist, authoritarian/anti-democracy, disinformation, demoguery operations. If you want better coverage from us, just vote for the whiter, more conservative candidate. Don't think there's any negotiation there. And, while I get what you're saying about an offramp, I'd say that temptation needs to be resisted, because there is no offramp ultimately with this operation, let alone one that is worth being held hostage over.

As a logical extension of the argument, having a straight male mayor replace a lesbian should be worth, like what, 25-35% better Fox News/right wing national media coverage in itself, no? Keep in mind, that type of stuff is actually much more important to them than actual policy, including economic policy, as it's the media wing of a post-policy national party. There's a good reason for that, as if things like economic policy entered the picture, there might be problems with the base.

[Kngkyle]

I was pretty discouraged / worried last night but I've since come around. I didn't think either candidate was good but definitely saw Vallas as the lesser of two evils. I did favor Johnson on one key issue - transportation policy - which is an area that Lightfoot was terrible on and Vallas only talked about in the context of crime. Unlike a lot of his idiot tax plans which the state or council will immediately shut down (or he already walked back on), transportation policy is an area he can actually put his thumb on the scale.

I still have significant concerns about his coziness with the CTU and a potentially hostile relationship with business. I also think we need to actually fill our police vacancies (filling open roles is not adding to the budget, it's using the existing budget) and worry that if he doesn't set the right tone / try to work with police then it's just going to continue the mass exodus. I realize that like the CTU, the FOP is irreparable, but we still need both police and teachers.

Another worry is how close the far left is getting to full control of city council... my ward (48) went with the inexperienced progressive candidate over the moderate guy who knew what he was doing. Not feeling great about that. Also disappointed to see Uptown do the same.

[SIGSEGV]

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

Overall this is a fairly sharp post and much to agree with. That stated, with your point #2 (acknowledge you caveat that you do not like the framing!), it almost reads like a concession that locales around the US should allow Fox News and the right wing media ecosystem to be held hostage by their racist, authoritarian/anti-democracy, disinformation, demoguery operations. If you want better coverage from us, just vote for the whiter, more conservative candidate. Don't think there's any negotiation there. And, while I get what you're saying about an offramp, I'd say that temptation needs to be resisted, because there is no offramp ultimately with this operation, let alone one that is worth being held hostage over.

As a logical extension of the argument, having a straight male mayor replace a lesbian should be worth, like what, 25-35% better Fox News/right wing national media coverage in itself, no? Keep in mind, that type of stuff is actually much more important to them than actual policy, including economic policy, as it's the media wing of a post-policy national party. There's a good reason for that, as if things like economic policy entered the picture, there might be problems with the base.

bingo. Same with not kowtowing to Catanzara's threats.

[SIGSEGV]

Originally Posted by Kngkyle

I was pretty discouraged / worried last night but I've since come around. I didn't think either candidate was good but definitely saw Vallas as the lesser of two evils. I did favor Johnson on one key issue - transportation policy - which is an area that Lightfoot was terrible on and Vallas only talked about in the context of crime. Unlike a lot of his idiot tax plans which the state or council will immediately shut down (or he already walked back on), transportation policy is an area he can actually put his thumb on the scale.

I agree here. I think we'll finally see real Metra/CTA coordination, at least.

I still have significant concerns about his coziness with the CTU and a potentially hostile relationship with business.

Agree on the former, but I wouldn't be surprised if he'd better than Lightfoot on the latter, despite policy preferences, if only because of charisma/people pleasing skills.

I also think we need to actually fill our police vacancies (filling open roles is not adding to the budget, it's using the existing budget) and worry that if he doesn't set the right tone / try to work with police then it's just going to continue the mass exodus. I realize that like the CTU, the FOP is irreparable, but we still need both police and teachers.

I think Johnson is actually being realistic here. All urban police departments have vacancy issues right now, and it won't get any better soon. The total number of police officers has declined in the country as many departments are trying to ramp up hiring. Electing Adams didn't help much for NYPD retention, which is seeing record attrition this year. Vallas overpromised here, there's no way he could have actually fully staffed CPD in a reasonable amount of time without doing something like drastically increasing pay (for which he had no plan to pay for...).

[Randomguy34]

Since this is a skyscraper forum, I'll just add that Brandon wants to see the Loop become more mixed-use, and expanding 2-4 flats/ADUs across the city.

[left of center]

Here is to hoping that Johnson can set the city on the right path. He moderated many of his views (and dropped blatantly incorrect positions like a city income tax) during the runoff, so hopefully he will be able to work with the council and create a consensus for improving the city. Lets hope he can balance the budget in a way that does not scare off investment, get the population growing and bring jobs and new corporate offices/HQs to town. I worry about the CTU having their hand in his pocket so much. Lets hope he realizes there are other stakeholders that he need to cater to, first and foremost the citizenry of the city, and not just the teacher's union. I have cautious confidence that all the doomsday predictions being made in this thread do not come to pass. Fingers crossed!

[Chisouthside]

Originally Posted by twister244

Can Johnson really be worse than LL though?......

And if he is, you will see him voted out just like LL was. My beef though is I wonder how many people voted on policies versus identity politics? Did people not vote for Vallas just because they saw him as a "White Male"? I ask this question because it's a narrative Johnson peddled the ENTIRE campaign. He literally accused Vallas of being a racist in multiple debates/forums. It was a gross tactic, but it probably worked for several "progressive" voters.

after looking at the results map its obvious that the wards that suffer the most from violence voted for BJ. While Vallas highlighted crime and violence the most out of the two candidates, i wouldnt be surprised if alot of voters just saw through his fluff and deduce that in actuality his plan to combat violence either doesnt have alot of substance, or they've seen it before with not alot to show for it. I think you should give voters down there more credit than what youre giving them, though im sure alot did vote along racial lines.

[Chisouthside]

Originally Posted by left of center

Here is to hoping that Johnson can set the city on the right path. He moderated many of his views (and dropped blatantly incorrect positions like a city income tax) during the runoff, so hopefully he will be able to work with the council and create a consensus for improving the city. Lets hope he can balance the budget in a way that does not scare off investment, get the population growing and bring jobs and new corporate offices/HQs to town. I worry about the CTU having their hand in his pocket so much. Lets hope he realizes there are other stakeholders that he need to cater to, first and foremost the citizenry of the city, and not just the teacher's union. I have cautious confidence that all the doomsday predictions being made in this thread do not come to pass. Fingers crossed!

He mentioned yesterday something about how hes gonna work even for the people that didnt vote for him during his acceptance speech.

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Chisouthside

He mentioned yesterday something about how hes gonna work even for the people that didnt vote for him during his acceptance speech.

He has said a lot of things during the campaign, many that he backtracked from. At the end of the day, talk is cheap. I am more concerned as to what his actions are. It was nice to hear him say those words of course, but I will be waiting for the follow through once he is sworn in.

Again, I am cautiously hopeful. I am an optimist at heart. Lets hope he ends up being the person Chicago needs right now.

[ardecila]

That was one of my problems with Vallas, setting the cops/crime issue aside - his campaign was pretty dour and gloomy, no optimism or fresh ideas. Just a siege mentality. I don't know how you actually grow the economy if you're thinking like that.

Even if he was elected, he would implicitly be pushing the narrative that the city is a lawless hellhole. That's gonna keep scaring businesses and new residents away, and push existing residents to leave.

[SamInTheLoop]

^ Yep. Stating something that is admittedly far easier to in hindsight, like most things: Vallas was a terrible candidate. On both style and substance. I voted for him, but very far from enthusiastically - just like him and his campaign.

May prove to be completely unwarranted, but I'm optimistic.

[skysoar]

Yes, Johnson has to be pragmatic. If he is not, he will find out what Mike Tyson said is true, every fighter has great plans until he gets hit. He will get hit by City Council at some point.

[BrinChi]

I'll tell you what, his acceptance speech invoked the second coming of Dr. MLK lol. His central message was that we don't have to fight, and we don't have to choose; we're rich enough to do it all. This sets really high expectations out of the gate! He'll really disappoint a lot of people if he doesn't deliver something of substance.