Commentary: Mayor Brandon Johnson can set the tone of his administration by acting immediately on the transparency agenda formulated by open government advocates but blocked by the previous administration.
These are instances of a larger pattern. Having campaigned as a sharp critic of the mishandling of the administration of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel of the Laquan McDonald murder case and as an advocate for enhanced transparency, Lightfoot once in power repeatedly withheld public information from the public.
That history holds important lessons for the new administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson. It is inevitable that situations will arise in which he and his team will have strong incentives to restrict access to public information to maintain an official narrative that serves their purposes. That is why it is essential for him to make explicit transparency commitments at the beginning of his tenure.We should be realistic about this.
Paradoxically, concern about the lies of former President Donald Trump — so brazen, so demonstrably false, so dangerous — has obscured rather than illuminated the tendency of government at all levels to use the tools at its disposal to shape and maintain official narratives at odds with the facts. Robust transparency is the primary check on those tendencies.
Johnson can set the tone of his administration by acting immediately on the transparency agenda formulated by open government advocates but blocked by the previous administration. There are three primary items on this agenda:Sign up to receive Chicago Tribune opinion columns and guest commentary by email as soon as they're published.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Johnson offers no quick solutions after violent weekend in Chicago: 'awfully aware of what I've inherited'Mayor Brandon Johnson offered no quick solutions after another violent weekend in Chicago.
Read more »
New plans announced to build or alter 8 historical memorials in ChicagoChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced plans Monday to build or alter eight historical memorials.
Read more »
Brandon Johnson administration begins battle to move immigrants to permanent housingChicago Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration are beginning to explore permanent housing options for immigrants who have been bused into the Windy City over the last year. Finding funds is just one of the hurdles.
Read more »
Brandon Johnson mentor to replace him on Cook County BoardThe seat on the Cook County Board that Brandon Johnson vacated to take over the mayor’s office in Chicago was filled late Tuesday by Chicago Teachers Union leader Tara Stamps.
Read more »
Brandon Johnson just gave paid parental leave to teachers but not police officers'Why was Mayor Johnson so eager to give parental leave to the teachers union, yet has given no indication he is planning or even willing to do the same for Chicago police?' -Jack_Elbaum
Read more »
Chicago's Mayor Johnson questioned about holiday weekend violence'Do you think because someone is grieving, we aren't grieving in this room?'
Read more »