If you’re walking down Michigan Avenue or catching a train at Clark and Lake today, you’re living in Brandon Johnson’s Chicago.
Brandon Johnson is the 57th mayor of Chicago. He took the oath of office on May 15, 2023, after a runoff election that basically felt like a battle for the city's soul. He beat out Paul Vallas, a guy known for running school districts, in a race that proved Chicago was ready to gamble on a progressive vision.
Honestly, it’s been a wild ride since then.
You’ve probably seen his name in the headlines a lot lately. As of January 2026, Johnson is right in the thick of a massive budget showdown. It's getting messy. He recently warned about midyear layoffs because the 2026 spending plan—a plan he actually refused to sign—is looking a bit shaky. The City Council passed it over his objections, and now the city is staring down a $163 million deficit.
It’s a lot to keep track of, right? Whether you’re a lifelong Chicagoan or just trying to figure out who’s running the show, the "who" is only half the story. The "how" is where things get interesting.
Who is Brandon Johnson? The teacher who became mayor
Before he was the guy in the big office at City Hall, Brandon Johnson was a middle school teacher. He taught at Jenner Academy in Cabrini-Green and Westinghouse College Prep. That’s not just a fun fact; it’s the core of his entire political identity.
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He didn't come from the typical political machine. He rose through the ranks as an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). If you remember the big strikes and the "red shirt" rallies, Johnson was a key part of that movement. He eventually hopped over to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018, representing the 1st District.
When he ran for mayor, he was the ultimate underdog. Nobody thought a guy with 3% name recognition could unseat an incumbent like Lori Lightfoot. But he did. He promised a "People’s Plan" that focused on the root causes of crime rather than just hiring more cops.
Quick Stats on the Mayor
- Full Name: Brandon Johnson
- Took Office: May 2023
- Term Ends: May 2027
- Background: Educator and CTU Organizer
- Key Allies: Progressive caucuses and labor unions
The 2026 budget drama explained
Right now, the big news is the 2026 budget. It’s kinda become a game of political chicken. Mayor Johnson wanted a "corporate head tax"—basically a tax on large companies for every employee they have. He argued it was a fair way to fund the city without hitting regular homeowners with more property taxes.
The City Council? They weren't having it.
They pushed through an "alternative budget" in late 2025. Johnson didn't veto it, but he didn't sign it either. He just... let it happen. Now, in January 2026, he’s telling anyone who will listen that the math doesn't add up. He’s "bracing for midyear layoffs" and worrying that community safety programs might be the first on the chopping block.
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It’s a tough spot. On one hand, he’s trying to stick to his progressive guns. On the other, he’s dealing with a Council that is increasingly willing to say "no" to his biggest ideas.
Where he stands on the big issues
You can't talk about the current mayor of Chicago without talking about the "Sanctuary City" status. This has become a massive flashpoint, especially with the federal government shifting gears.
Johnson has been very vocal about this. Just this week, he released statements pushing back against threats to halt federal funding for sanctuary cities. He’s basically drawn a line in the sand, saying Chicago will remain a welcoming place for immigrants, specifically mentioning the Somali community and other new arrivals.
Then there's the school board. This is a huge shift that most people are still wrapping their heads around. For decades, the mayor of Chicago basically hand-picked the school board. That’s changing. We’re moving toward a fully elected board by 2027. It’s a transition that Johnson, as a former teacher, is deeply involved in, even though it actually means he’ll have less direct power over schools than previous mayors like Richard M. Daley or Rahm Emanuel.
Neighborhood Investments
Despite the budget gloom, Johnson is still putting money into the South and West Sides.
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- Community Development: He recently announced $33 million in grants for 58 different projects.
- Specific Winners: This includes a new headquarters for a gun violence prevention group in West Garfield Park and a craft brewery (Funkytown Brewery) on the Near West Side.
- The Goal: It's all about "equitable development." He wants to make sure the money isn't just staying in the Loop.
The road to 2027
Believe it or not, people are already looking toward the next election. Even though Johnson has over a year left in his term, the vultures are circling. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley has already thrown his hat in the ring for 2027.
Being the current mayor of Chicago is arguably one of the hardest jobs in American politics. You’ve got the CTU on one side, the business community on the other, and a crime rate that is always under a microscope.
Johnson’s "Treatment Not Trauma" initiative—which aims to send mental health professionals to some 911 calls instead of just police—is a cornerstone of his legacy. Whether that (and his neighborhood investments) will be enough to win him a second term is the $100 million question.
What you can do next
If you want to keep tabs on what the mayor is doing—or if you want to complain about your trash pickup—you don’t have to just yell into the void.
- Check the Press Room: The City of Chicago website actually has a pretty decent press room that updates daily.
- Find Your Alderman: Most of the real "boots on the ground" work happens at the ward level. If you're upset about the 2026 budget, your local alderman is the person who actually voted on it.
- Attend a Council Meeting: They’re open to the public. If you want to see the drama in person, head over to 121 N LaSalle St.
The story of the current mayor of Chicago is still being written. With the budget crisis looming and a federal administration that seems to have Chicago in its crosshairs, the next few months will likely define whether Brandon Johnson is a one-term experiment or the leader of a long-term progressive shift in the Second City.