Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names transition team

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson rolling out his transition committee on Thursday.

It includes a diverse mix of four dozen business, union, faith, education and community leaders whose responsibility will be to advise the next mayor on policy issues.

Johnson toured the Carpenters Union Training Center as he takes the next step towards fulfilling his campaign pledge to build a better stronger safer Chicago. He said his transition team is a reflection of that.

"It speaks to the collaborative spirit in which my candidacy has formed, and what our governance will ultimately reflect," Johnson said.

With public safety and policing key concerns heading into the summer, Johnson tapped two veterans from the previous administration as advisors. They include U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, former mayoral candidate - who ran against Johnson - State Rep. Kam Buckner, former CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Denihan and Robert Boik, who headed up the Bureau of Constitutional Policing.

"What those two selections offer is my commitment to building a very diverse, eclectic set of leaders who love the city of Chicago, the people of Chicago," Johnson said.

As the search for the next police superintendent continues with a mid-July deadline, Johnson said his desire would be to promote someone from within the department.

SEE ALSO | Search firm hired to find permanent Chicago police superintendent

"My preference is consistent with what our rank and file police officers have said, someone who was tethered to the city of Chicago, who understands the day to day experiences of police officers in Chicago," Johnson said.

Former top cop Eddie Johnson said he would be willing to serve as interim superintendent if asked, something the mayor elect said he would not rule out.

Earlier, the mayor-elect was honored at his final meeting as a Cook County commissioner, talking about the importance of collaboration and saying when Chicago is better, so is Cook County.

"We have come together for a critical time, a time that I believe will be a marker for real transformation," Johnson said.

A resolution was read in his honor talking about this childhood, and work for Cook County. His fellow commissioners took their time talking about Johnson's successes and their pride in his work.

"As a son of a pastor, and individual who when you go out, you are not just preaching, you believe in what you are saying," Commissioner John Daley said. "You want a united city, You want a city that is the same for all."

Commissioner Bill Lowry also weighed in.

"We need a mayor who will be a collaborator, who will reach out to others knowing we can do more together than we can do as an individual," Lowry said.

Johnson told fellow commissioners that he recently spoke with former President Barack Obama, who advised him to spend as much time with his kids as possible, and to take the trash out.

Johnson's inauguration day is May 15.

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson pledges to 'invest in our young people' at Austin church event

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names OEMC Executive Dir. Rich Guidice as chief of staff