PLAYBOOK Q&A: Mayor Brandon Johnson aggressively defended his tenure in an interview with POLITICO. We talked about the pushback he’s received over handling Chicago School Board decision-making and the future of ShotSpotter. “There are people who might have some trepidation around how bold our vision is,” Johnson told your Playbook host, pointing to big investments in affordable housing, declines in violence and investments in small business, among other accomplishments. “There are individuals that are having a tough time adjusting. But for the masses in the city of Chicago, they’re very much aligned with the vision.” Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. What do you say to critics on your views about ShotSpotter, the Chicago School Board and your City Hall hiring? “For all of those families who are looking for affordable homes, they're not criticizing us at this moment. They're saying, ‘We appreciate the investments that you're making, because for too long in this city, we have nibbled around the edges and we've kept the status quo.’ And so as we move and turn this in the right direction, there are individuals that are having a tough time adjusting into it, but for the masses in the city of Chicago, they're very much aligned with the vision.” What do you say to people who think you’re doing the bidding of the Chicago Teachers Union? “I understand that as mayor of the City of Chicago that there will be forces who will attempt to create narratives around me that are inflammatory and, in some instances, an attempt to degrade my leadership. I'm doing the bidding of the people of Chicago who voted for me, and I’m fighting to make sure that families have fully funded, well-rounded schools in their community. I didn't realize that in the 21st century that people still find that offensive.” Is it frustrating, though, to have idealistic goals come face to face with budgetary realities? “I think about Chicago's history. If you're an immigrant — an Irish immigrant, Italian immigrant, a Polish immigrant — was it idealistic to cross the shores to come to Chicago with the hope of a better life, versus looking at the realities that if you, when you got here, that that would not be something that you could achieve overnight — was that idealistic? ... Was it idealistic for an immigrant or a descendant of slaves to believe [in a better life] even though the reality in front of them meant that they would be met with severe opposition and trepidation?” You've said the state needs to step up, but the way the funding mechanism works in Springfield, it would require all school districts to get that boost. Are you having conversations with Springfield about finding a different way? “ I don't know anyone in Springfield that believes that we've done enough for education for our state. …That's why the state needs to be here for us. I believe they know what their responsibilities are. They don't need a reminder from me.” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has proposed TIF surplus funds to help address school budget issues. Is that something you’d support? “I've always already committed to doing that. He didn't come up with that. There are multiple taxing bodies where TIFS could be beneficial. So, that's never been anything that anybody had to lobby for.” RELATED ON POLITICO: School board fracas highlights Chicago mayor’s turbulent tenure: “Brandon Johnson is enduring a bruising series of controversies less than two years into his tenure,” by your Playbook host. The root of the CPS drama is a lack of money, by the Tribune’s Nell Salzman, Sarah Macaraeg and Ikram Mohamed — CTU faces lawsuit by member who wants the union to open its books on how it spends dues, by Center Square’s Greg Bishop Opinion: Schools CEO Pedro Martinez deserves credit for working with lawmakers, writes state Rep. Fred Crespo in the Sun-Times
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