What is Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson inheriting from Lori Lightfoot?

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson is set to take over the city’s leadership from Lori Lightfoot, inheriting a barely stable financial budget and a struggling youth population.

Johnson defeated Lightfoot in the general election and Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, in the runoff election, appealing to voters with his more progressive policy platform. He will now face a city with rising crime rates, sinking education, and a volatile economy.

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During his campaign, Johnson promised a more comprehensive approach to reforming the criminal justice and education systems, with a key component of focusing on youth empowerment and support. He also aimed to funnel money to schools on a needs-based model, rather than size.

He also campaigned heavily against raising taxes to battle inflation, but that may prove to be harder than he imagined. Lightfoot’s administration is leaving Johnson with a projected budget gap of $85 million for his first year — infinitely better than former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s parting gift to Lightfoot after leaving her with an $838 million budget gap in 2019.

However, to maintain the positive fiscal status, Lightfoot said Johnson would need to stick to her budget practices, including tying the city’s property tax levy to inflation, which Johnson said he is against. He will also need to make annual advance pension payments to offset losses from the stock market.

Lightfoot warned Johnson accordingly during a speech at the Executives’ Club of Chicago this week.

“Don’t screw it up,” she said. “We’re delivering this up on a silver platter: Continue to work, stay the course, and things will continue to shine bright for the city of Chicago.”

To assist Johnson before he enters, Lightfoot plans to sign an executive order that will keep the pension policy in place that will dedicate surplus revenues to bolster funding. The city forecasts it will create $2.6 billion in reduced pension payments over time if Johnson maintains that plan.

However, Johnson can unwind any policies that Lightfoot puts in place before she leaves. He opposes raising property taxes connected to inflation, as he believes it contributes to the city’s affordable housing crisis — something he said contributes to high crime and low educational opportunities for Chicago’s youth.

Johnson’s alternative tax proposal, including taxes on financial transactions, high-end property sales, and jet fuel at city airports, would raise $450 million, according to Johnson’s campaign platform.

The new mayor will also be tasked with handling the school system, as well, inheriting a crumbling institution that used to rank among the top 5 in the United States but has since fallen in recent years due to a decline in enrollment and investment opportunities.

Chicago Public Schools announced on Wednesday it would provide the schools an additional $150 million in the 2023-2024 school year to increase funding for 82% of schools. The district plans to increase spending per student and target investments in schools with the most need, a concept championed by Johnson that won him the endorsements of the Chicago Teachers Union and several adjoining unions.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez told the Chicago Tribune he has high hopes for working with Johnson, who will need to support more state funding for the school district. In all, the schools will face a $628 million deficit if Springfield does not allocate more funding.

“I think we’re going to have a champion that’s going to help support as we continue this fight with Springfield. [State] leaders inherited this, so this is not blaming them. But I think it’s time for us to really work together to solve these issues,” Martinez said.

Budget priorities will include improving instruction by providing reasonable class sizes per teacher, access to the arts and intervention support systems, and improving transportation and other district operations.

Some of Johnson’s more progressive stances included a pledge to work with the Chicago Transit Authority to provide free transit services, as well as provide housing to the district’s nearly 4,000 homeless students in partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services.

Johnson’s promise to uplift Chicago youth comes at a time when he is inheriting a trend of rioting in the city led by teenagers that has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, several hundred teenagers gathered for a “teen takeover” event, torching cars, beating bystanders, and engaging in gun fights.

The mayor-elect released a statement condemning the riot but also included a plea not to “demonize” the groups for their actions.

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“In no way do I condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and lakefront this weekend,” he said. “It is unacceptable and has no place in our city,” Johnson said.

“However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities,” he said on Monday. “Our city must work together to create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains welcome for both residents and visitors. This is one aspect of my comprehensive approach to improve public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone.”