Chicagoans were concerned about the wrong alderpersons
Johnson has to bring on a new floor leader
Even before the current city council took their respective seats following the April 4 election there was speculation, a lot of predictions, and some worries by thousands of Chicagoans how this body would operate. That was all based on the reality the council was suddenly comprised of more new members than at any time in recent memory,
Six months into their term we now see the concerns were misplaced; and it wasn’t the new members who are acting as though they have never been here before. And the divide between some Latino members and Black members that people only whispered about previously has morphed into a full-blown show. That chasm likely means Mayor Brandon Johnson will have to realign his committee structure with new chairs. We might even see the return to the arrangement council members made to identify their own chairs. Upon taking office, Johnson reversed that process.
The reason we should expect to see 35th Ward Carlos Rameriz-Rosa tender this resignation as floor leader, and the mayor graciously accept it is the former physically tried to prevent Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward from entering council chambers to participate in a vote-a vote Rameriz-Rosa had reason to believe would run counter to his wishes. The vote was about placing a question on the March 15 ballot asking voters if Chicago should remain a “sanctuary city.”
Rameriz-Rosa’s actions led to the city council’s Black Legislative Caucus to call for the alderperson’s resignation and to step down from the committee he heads. The Black Caucus’ move was especially impressive because it was one of the rare, if not the only time all 20 members were in lockstep.
Although Johnson is often seen as a contrarian mayor, he has no choice but to concede to the Black Caucus’ demands; as they were joined Sunday by five Latino members of the council. Those 25 names represent exactly half of the council. As a bloc they can determine how much, if any of the mayor’s political agenda advances.
This is an especially delicate time for Johnson as he is attempting to move a budget. It is a budget that falls short of funding to address the city’s upcoming needs-especially in the area of sheltering and housing asylum-seekers.
Crime continues to be a major issue, and the mayor is at odds with his new Chicago Police Department Superintendent about using technology, name ShotSpotter, as a means to catching shooters.
Without question, some observers will liken Ramirez-Rosa situation to the Council Wars during the first term (83-86) of the late Mayor Harold when 29 council members, led by Edward Vrdolyak and embattled former Alderman Ed Burke. It was clear then that the attempts by the 29 was to control city government; as well being rooted in racial strife.
The situation before the mayor right now is to correct an egregious wrong. Some council members identified what Rameriz-Rosa did amounted to bullying. The most egregious aspect according to many was a male puttinghis hands on a Black female colleague.
Surprisingly, the mayor has been crickets on this matter, including a protest outside of the 35th Ward offices on Sunday-with not only an additional call for Rameriz-Rosa’s resignation, but a public apology to Ald. Mitts as well.