Whether he was fighting for civil rights, labor rights, or to end forever wars, Rev. Jesse Jackson's ties to Chicago, and why Chicago has come to love him, is because he understood that everybody is somebody. He recognized that our connectedness is what will ultimately save our humanity.
Although Kristi Noem may be out of work, I'm going to continue working every day to Protect Chicago.
Holi marks the beginning of spring, which breathes new life and vitality into the earth and across all of our communities. It was my honor to be the first Mayor to celebrate Holi at City Hall alongside Chicago's Indian community.
The Soul of Chicago was on full display as our vibrant Asian communities celebrated Lunar New Year festivities. It was a privilege to join the Chicagoans celebrating across the city over the past few weeks to kick off the Year of the Fire Horse.
1. Mayor Brandon Johnson cuts the ribbon on newly constructed homes through the Reclaiming Chicago initiative in Back of the Yards, alongside Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor, State Senator Mattie Hunter, Housing Commissioner Lissette Castaneda, The Resurrection Project CEO Raul Raymundo, and stakeholders from United Power for Justice and Action and the Precious Blood Ministry.
2. Mayor Brandon Johnson shakes hands with a The Resurrection Project staff member after cutting the ribbon on newly constructed homes through the Reclaiming Chicago initiative in Back of the Yards.
3. A house under construction through the Reclaiming Chicago Initiative in Back of the Yards, with a sign saying "AN AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY IN PROCESS".
4. Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers remarks before cutting the ribbon on newly constructed homes through the Reclaiming Chicago initiative in Back of the Yards.
As we embrace community-centered affordable housing strategies and direct new development to communities like Back of the Yards, we are reversing displacement and disinvestment, replacing vacant lots with homes, and investing in opportunities for our families to build generational wealth.
It's humbling to know that kids from all corners of our city can see themselves grow in an international sport like soccer. Thank you to Joe Mansueto and the entire Chicago Fire organization for their commitment to keeping their club rooted in Chicago while investing in our city's future.
Policing alone is not going to bring safety to our communities. We need to replace violence with the things that make communities whole: education, health care, housing, transportation and good-paying jobs.
2. Image: Mayor Johnson announces Chicago's #1 relocation status at David Bryne's Theatre of the Mind in River North. Text: "Chicago’s continued leadership in corporate relocation and expansion reflects the strengths our city has built over generations. From manufacturing and freight to transportation and global logistics, we have long served as the backbone of American commerce. That industrial depth, combined with modern infrastructure and a skilled workforce, is why companies continue to choose Chicago to grow, invest, and innovate. Recent commitments from Universal Horror Unleashed, Hexaware Technologies, The Hand and The Eye, Freedman Seating Company, Infleqtion, and the collaboration between David Byrne and The Goodman demonstrate that our historic strengths continue to power new industries and new opportunities." Mayor Brandon Johnson
Chicago has long served as the backbone of American commerce. Our continued leadership in corporate relocation reflects the strengths our city has built over generations.
"1. Image: Chicago Skyline with the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in the foreground. Text: Chicago named #1 U.S. metro for corporate relocation. 19,600 new and retained jobs, $1.7 billion in annual earnings, and more than 26 million square feet of commercial and industrial space fuel Chicago’s top ranking for an unprecedented 13th year."
Investing in people isn't at odds with growth—it drives it.
"What do you say to Democrats who argue that [calling to abolish ICE] goes too far and could give Republicans the upper hand, politically?"
On the other side of the bridge is an America that lives up to its values.
@defiance.org @couriernewsroom.bsky.social
Two greystone buildings stand side by side on a Chicago street. In the background, there is a bright blue sky. At the top, the words "Green Homes Chicago" appear. At the bottom, the words "One of the boldest Housing and Environmental Justice programs in the nation."
The slide includes information about the Green Homes Chicago program. It reads: Provides free upgrades that help homeowners reduce energy consumption and increase savings. Includes important repairs to ensure that Chicagoans' homes are not just efficient but also safe. Focuses specifically on helping households that are the most burdened by energy bills.
The image contains a quote from Mayor Johnson. It reads: Now is the time for climate action that centers the lived experiences of Chicagoans. Even as the federal government rolls back climate progress, this City is forging ahead with green buildings, green jobs, climate justice, and overall climate resiliency. With Green Homes Chicago, one of the largest city-led residential decarbonization initiatives in the country, we are investing in the health and wellbeing of our residents for generations to come. Below this quote is the City of Chicago logo with Mayor Brandon Johnson's name beneath.
In the background, the two buildings from the first image are visible. In the foreground is the following text: Registration is open through February 27! Find out if you qualify at chicago.gov/greenhomes Beneath that are the logos for the Chicago Department of Housing and the Chicago Department of Environment.
Green Homes Chicago drives environmental and housing justice forward by providing free clean energy upgrades and essential health & safety repairs to the people who need them most. Find out if you qualify and register by Feb. 27 at
Chicago.gov/greenhomes
"When you're shutting off funds to the Chicago Public School system, you're actually undermining the next generation of Black and brown students in the entire state of Illinois."
The best way to repopulate the West and South Sides is by investing in them.
What is the best way to defend against Trump's tyranny? Do we cower and let him intimidate us, or do we come together and stand up?
NEW: Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Streets and Sanitation today announced the winning names for the City’s fourth annual “You Name a Snowplow” contest.
The six winners are:
Abolish ICE
Stephen Coldbert
Pope Frío XIV
The Blizzard of Oz
Svencoolie
Caleb Chilliams
For too long, we had a rubber-stamp city council that caused tremendous harm to the people of this city. We're going to build trust by continuing to show up for working people.
Donald Trump didn't invent the playbook he's using to attack and defund the public amenities that working people rely upon.
I'm old enough to remember that the struggles of Soweto in South Africa and the Favelas in Brazil are interconnected with the struggles of Cabrini-Green on the North Side of Chicago.
I'm grateful that Mother Cabrini, the first American saint whose life work embodies the Soul of Chicago, is the People of Chicago's top selection for the new statue to be installed at Arrigo Park in Little Italy.
My sincere hope is that we teach future generations about Reverend Jesse Jackson's dynamic humanitarianism, and allow the caricature of him that was often promulgated by corporate media to fall into the waste bin of history.
I was honored to welcome so many bright young minds to City Hall today for our first-ever Youth Media Day.
As Trump attempts to silence the voices of journalists, it's more important than ever that we uplift and encourage Chicago’s next generation of storytellers.
Photo: Mayor Johnson takes a "".5 and flip"" selfie with participants of the city's inaugural Youth Media Day press conference.
Unc had to show 'em how the .5 and flip is done.
Our first ever Youth Media Day was a huge success. Best press conference ever.
image of text that says 'CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS Residential Real Estate Empty lots on South and West Sides slated for market-rate residential units By Dennis Rodkin. Image: rendering of 3 brick row houses with green front yards and pedestrians walking by on the sidewalk. Image Credit: Garfield Together. A rendering of Garfield Together's planned three-unit condo buildings'
image of text: "It's actually a dream come true for us to be able to develop housing for the neighborhood we were born and raised in," Loggins said. The neighborhood "has been waiting for change to come, but change has not come this far past the United Center," 2.7 miles due east of the sites. The rendering at the top of this story shows a trio of the planned buildings. Garfield Together's 21 condos are among 99 new residential units approved for funding in the third round of City Hall's Missing Middle effort to get new homes going in neighborhoods builders have long overlooked, at prices that work for middle-income buyers.
image of text that says 'Garfield Together's 21 condos are among 99 new residential units approved for funding in the third round of City Hall's Missing Middle effort to get new homes going in neighborhoods builders have long overlooked, at prices that work middle-income buyers. for The grants of up to $150,000 come from a $75 million city bond issue for housing and economic development, part of Mayor Brandon Johnson's bond program aimed at directing $1.25 billion to development in city's blighted neighborhoods. the CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS'
image of text that says '"We're priming the pump for new housing development," said Ciere Boatright, Chicago's planning and development commissioner. With the 99 units approved this month for transfer of city-owned lots and a city grant of up to 150,000, the Missing Middle program is up to 310 approvals of new for-sale units since January 2025, Boatright said. The funds are headed for "areas that need investment, need population growth, need support" to rebuild, Boatright said. New construction that attracts new or move-up residents, she said, will have the knock-on effect of supporting the revitalization of neighborhood commercial corridors. CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS'
"It's actually a dream come true for us...[the neighborhood] has been waiting for change to come, but change has not come this far past the United Center."
Until now.
“We can best honor Reverend Jackson by `keeping hope alive,’“ the mayor said before leading the Council in a moment of silence for Jackson and his grieving family.
Reverend Jackson, in many ways, is the embodiment of today's progressive movement. We will keep hope alive through the struggle for universal health care, fully funding public education, and respecting basic human rights.
Today, I extend my prayers and warm wishes to all those in Chicago and around the world observing Ash Wednesday. As we reflect on the beginning of the Lenten season, we recommit ourselves to compassion, humility, and service.
"As we continue to confront the housing shortage head-on, I'm thrilled the City is supporting this 300-unit project that includes 60 much-needed affordable homes for the Loop," said @mayorofchicago.bsky.social.
Happy Lunar New Year, Chicago! May your year be filled with happiness and prosperity.
