BIZARRE: 3 - What They Never Told You

Migrant tent city company accused of controversial ties

A $29.3 million agreement with the city for GardaWorld to build giant tent cities for migrants has been condemned by officials and advocates who said investing in Chicago infrastructure and organizations would be better.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 22, 2023

David Harewood on Blackface review – a shocking, deeply moving piece of television

In a personal look at the shocking origins of minstrelsy, the actor speaks truth to power on the same channel that showed blackface in his living room when he was growing up

The Guardian - UK · Jul 27, 2023

Chicago police union vows court fight after mayor rejects demand for 12 weeks of paid parental leave

Chicago police already have a “significant and robust” leave policy — the ability to 365 days off every two years, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior adviser Jason Lee said.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 11, 2023

CPS boosts school budgets with focus on special education — and more property taxes

Buoyed in part once again by federal COVID-19 relief funding, Chicago Public Schools will spend about $220 million more in the 2023-2024 school year to hire teachers and other support staff.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 13, 2023

Stalled stadium talks in Arlington Heights create opening for Chicago mayor — if he’s willing to rewrite his playbook

Brandon Johnson’s promise to make $1 billion worth of “investments in people,” makes it tough to imagine him moving a new Chicago Bears stadium to the top of his “to do” list.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 6, 2023

Brandon Johnson in no rush to get rid of ShotSpotter despite campaign promise

“The mayor was clear that there were some real questions about the effectiveness of ShotSpotter .... There might be individuals who have different perspective. He’s gonna hear everyone out and make a decision on that,” senior adviser Jason Lee told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 26, 2023

Brandon Johnson’s first City Council meeting certain to be tamer than Lightfoot’s

Senior adviser Jason Lee said the mayor has been doing some rehearsing to make sure he’s comfortable with the gavel in his hand and running the meeting smoothly.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 23, 2023

Mayor Johnson’s pick for deputy mayor for community safety signals strategy change

Garien Gatewood will focus on “the other aspects of public safety beyond law enforcement that are so critical to our agenda,” Johnson’s senior adviser Jason Lee says.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 19, 2023

Johnson’s City Council floor leader portrays Lightfoot as sore loser undermining smooth transition

“Mayor Lightfoot, in her final days, really worked to harm this incoming administration. It’s sad. It’s unfortunate. But we now have to come together as a city and clean up the mess that she left us,” Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the mayor’s City Council floor leader, told the Sun-Times.

Chicago Sun-Times · May 18, 2023

Johnson administration distances itself from $12 billion tax plan co-written by member of transition team

The plan by the Action Center on Race & the Economy and the People’s Unity Platform “has nothing to do with what we’re trying to do,” said Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Mayor Brandon Johnson. The mayor’s approach, Lee said, involves “sober analysis of what might be feasible.”

Chicago Sun-Times · May 17, 2023