Johnson about to mark 3 years in office, reflects on time as mayor
Johnson about to mark 3 years in office, reflects on time as mayorChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will travel to meet Pope Leo XIV, the mayor's office said Wednesday.
The trip will be funded and led by World Business Chicago, an economic development agency in the city. ABC7 Chicago was told Johnson is expected to travel May 26 through 30 to Rome, Italy and Vatican City.
"I'm just elated that the Pope is from Chicago. I think we're going to talk about the values we share - protecting voting rights, protecting immigrant rights, and protecting workers' rights. He's been very clear and consistent on those issues, and I'm looking forward to that conversation," Johnson said in a statement.
Last month, an "Illinois Mayors Public Diplomacy Mission" traveled to Rome to meet the Chicago-born pope. recently celebrated his one-year anniversary of being elected pontiff of the worldwide Catholic church. Pictures with the pope are certainly a good optic, even if the mayor is still playing coy about his reelection plans.
"We're so proud, you know, as a city, as a nation, that Pope Leo has his roots right here in this beloved city. I'm looking forward to engaging with him when I talk to him about how pleased and how grateful I am for him standing up for our humanity as we have worked to stand up against the tyranny that's coming from the federal government," Johnson said in a one-on-one interview with ABC7 Chicago Wednesday.
The mayor said that this job has been one of the joys of his life, despite the headwinds coming from the federal government.
"This is a unique time to lead, especially for cities, at a time in which the federal government is attacking American cities all over the country," he said. The mayor continued to be evasive about whether he will seek another term, despite frequently joking about serving longer than either Mayor Daley.
"Listen, I'm going to be very direct with you. I have not thought about my political future," Johnson said. Johnson brushed off the growing list of potential challengers who'd like to take his place on the fifth floor of City Hall.
"Those same individuals that are thinking about politics right now are the same individuals who believed that somehow my election would lead to the breakup of this great city, and that just has not been the case," Johnson said. The mayor then proceeded to rattle off a list of accomplishments and community investments from this past year. After last year's history drop in violent crime, shootings and homicides are trending back up so far this year.
That and the economy are priorities for this next year in office.
"My focus is going to be driving violence down in this city. We still have more work to do there. My focus is also going to be on making sure that affordability is top of mind for everyone," Johnson said.
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