Daywatch: Johnson deflects questions on City Hall controversy, migrant housing effort
Good morning, Chicago.
Mayor Brandon Johnson deflected questions yesterday about a City Hall controversy in which a top adviser tried to persuade an alderman to vote for parts of Johnson’s progressive agenda by tying those votes to the administration’s willingness to remove homeless camps in the alderman’s ward.
The mayor was responding to questions from reporters about the proposal, which was made by top aide Jason Lee to Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, a day after the Tribune first reported on the discussion. Conway criticized Lee’s efforts and said it was an inappropriate quid pro quo.
He also announced an effort to get migrants out of city-run shelters within 60 days, while offering scant information about what will happen to them if they hit that deadline.
The mayor repeatedly demurred on questions surrounding how the 60-day limit would play out, saying more details would be available Friday. State and federal partners will be providing a “more expedited process” for migrants to be resettled and put on the pathway to work, he said, and the state will make an announcement about a new partnership Thursday, he said, which state officials confirmed.
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