DOJ investigating Chicago hiring practices amid backlash over Mayor Johnson's viral comments
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The U.S. Department of Justice is opening up a civil rights investigation into the city of Chicago, it said in a letter to the mayor's office on Monday.
For the latest on this story, click here
The DOJ is specifically looking into the city's hiring practices.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
This comes after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's remarks at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn on Sunday prompted a barrage of social media posts calling for an investigation.
Johnson shared his vision for the rest of his term, emphasizing education, public safety and equity. Johnson also said his administration is one of the most diverse in the city's history.
"There are some detractors that will try and push back on me and say, 'The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people.' No. What I'm saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet," Johnson said.
In a letter to the mayor's office, the DOJ says Johnson's comments highlighting the number of "Black officials" in his administration prompted this investigation.
"Business and economic neighborhood development, the deputy mayor is a Black woman... Department of Planning and Development is a Black woman... Infrastructure, deputy mayor is a Black woman... Chief operations officer is a Black man... Budget director is a Black woman... Senior advisor is a Black man," Johnson said.
SEE ALSO | US Department of Education investigating Chicago Public Schools for 'Black Students Success Plan'
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated in the letter, in part, "If these kind of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions."
Johnson's office released a statement on Monday afternoon, saying, "Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the history of our city. Our administration reflects the diversity and values of Chicago. Unfortunately, the current federal administration does not reflect either. We are aware of the letter issued by the Department of Justice, but are awaiting the official receipt of the letter. Our Corporation Counsel will review it at that time."
The mayor's office released a demographics breakdown of the office. It's 34.3% Black, 30.5% White, 23.8% Hispanic and 6.7% Asian.
City Hall leaders are already reacting to the investigation.
"Hearing what he said and seeing this investigation, taking part, unfolding today, I think validates the concerns that many people have that this isn't a mayor for everyone," said 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. "I think many people throughout the city of Chicago have felt as if they have been excluded under this administration."
Lopez also called the mayor's remarks a quote "political gift" for President Donald Trump, and said he is concerned over what could come next.
"The mayor has made it possible for Donald Trump to zero in on us, once again, to kick us, once again, and to use that as an excuse to take away money from us," Lopez said.
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates issued a statement saying, "The president who sees no problem allegedly assaulting women or publicly accepting bribes is using the division of government meant to protect our civil rights to police Black public servants instead.
"The families Black Chicagoans come from didn't flee the Jim Crow South to have a White House reinstate it in 2025 nationwide.
"People of our city no matter their race should be proud of the progress this administration has made in crafting a representative government instead of one built on patronage or corporate influence.
"It's obvious that those who attack Black excellence do so because they pale in comparison.
"Jim Crow and the Klan ended our country's first reconstruction. Reagan and the backlash reacted to the second. Our generation is being tasked with leading the third reconstruction and Donald Trump and his cronies will not be the ones to turn us back now."
READ MORE | Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson testifies in DC at sanctuary city hearing
