Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson addresses the media after meeting with Gov. J.B. Pritzker on April 7, 2023. (WTTW News)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker shared a “terrific” meeting Friday afternoon with Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson, saying the two discussed economic plans and their goals to unite Illinois as a whole.
Both men were all smiles following their first talk since Johnson’s runoff election victory Tuesday, telling reporters at a state building in the West Loop about the “compassion” and “collaboration” they share for building a stronger Illinois.
“Look, the bottom line is this, the governor and I are committed to uniting not just the city of Chicago, but the state of Illinois,” Johnson said. “We both are committed to making sure that working people can live and thrive and grow in the city of Chicago, and that’s a great day for our state and certainly a great day for our city.”
Johnson defeated former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in Tuesday’s runoff and will formally be sworn into office May 15. The mayor-elect said Friday he was “impressed” by Prtizker’s love for Chicago, calling him a “real partner” for the city.
The governor said he and Johnson chatted about city finances, job creation and growing small businesses, but didn’t get into the specifics of Johnson’s tax proposals, which include taxes on real estate transfers and aviation fuel.
“I want to be clear to everybody that we share a lot in common,” Pritzker said, “our desire to lift up the people of the city of Chicago and make sure we’re addressing the most urgent issues and growing the economy of the city, because that helps grow the economy of the state of Illinois.”
Johnson did tell reporters his budget plan would address the structural challenges facing Chicago, saying the city’s reliance on property taxes has left residents “in economic turmoil and despair.” He added that both he and Prtizker are committed to making investments in the communities that need it the most.
“Those who want to see our city divided, today this is a very clear day, an indication that those are the politics of old,” Johnson said.
Johnson on Thursday met with Mayor Lori Lightfoot to discuss their transition plans and said that she too is “definitely committed to making sure that this city is united.”
Neither Lightfoot, nor Pritzker endorsed either of the runoff candidates.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
