By next week Johnson could be a Chicago hero
But his political naivete is likely to prevent that from happening
Several generations ago old Black folk would impart the same bit of wisdom to someone who was uncertain of attempting a certain move-be it applying for a job, asking someone for a date, or pondering just about doing anything differently. The advice, which still holds true today is “nothing beats a failure but a try.” Fast forward to today, and some might call that a “moonshot,” That translates to something being possible but the odds against it happening are extremely long.
That is exactly the situation Mayor Brandon Johnson finds himself in as he will camp out in Springfield the next couple of days. The visit to state legislators on both sides of the aisle is a plea for the lawmakers to agree to dump $1 billion in funding for Chicago schools. From the mayor’s perspective, the state owes the school district that much; although he didn’t specify why or how he arrived at that number. He did mention his ask is on “behalf of the people of Chicago.”
The mayor’s timing, not by coincidence coincides with his benefactors, the Chicago Teachers Union’s contract expiration next month; and the fact the Chicago Public Schools is looking at starting the estimated $400 million budget deficit.
The buzzsaw Johnson is going to run into, and there is no way around it, is CTU is not a fair-haired child in Springfield. The mayor also is at odds with Gov. JB Pritzker. A recent Chicago Tribune story noted the tension between the men was palatable at last week’s signing of the deal turning the former Thompson Center over to Google. Johnson and Pritzker also staked tents at the opposite ends of the Chicago Bears proposal for a lakefront stadium.
Johnson continues to be tone deaf to matters beyond his circle as demonstrated by the fact that he is asking Pritzker and the General Assembly to pitch $1 billion into the Chicago coffers at the same time the governor is telling state agency directors he may cut more than $800 million from their collective budgets. Some Team Johnson member, a city lobbyist or political director should have given the mayor a heads up and recommended his timing for this ask is off-way off. Although there is no guarantee the mayor would have listened as his streak of stubbornness is as wide as Lake Shore Drive,
Earlier this year, Johnson forged ahead with a base camp for migrants after the governor told him there was no state money for such a development. Pritzker pulled a behind-the-scenes political move and a state environmental agency shut down the project after Chicago had spent $1 million that could not be recouped.
Pritzker has been joined by U.S. Sen Dick Durbin and Ilinois State House Speaker Rep. Emmanuel (Chirs) Welch in opposing the Bears proposal. With the state General Assembly overwhelming Democratic, it is unlikely anyone is going to rush to support Johnson in his billion-dollar request. However, we should expect that the mayor will cling to the hubris and stubbornness that has been the flagship of his first year in office. Yet, as the old folks said, “nothing beats a failure but a try.”
It would be worth a try for a skilled and astute mayor-Johnson is neither. What is likely his biggest blunder is announcing a dollar amount he is pursuing, If he simply felt compelled to provide us with a number he should have doubled the amount, and hope he got half of it. Revealing he wants $1 billion means if he comes away with anything less it was a failed mission.
Unless he provides legislators with detailed line items he will be in the same pickle as he was with Bring Chicago Home-no accountability on exactly how the money would be spent.
If through some miracle Johnson comes away with what most of what he is asking for, he undoubtedly will be a Chicago hero.