Chicago – May 21, 2025
Mayor Brandon Johnson says he won’t stop highlighting his administration’s diversity, even though the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether his office hired people based on race.
The DOJ launched a probe after Johnson spoke at a church on Chicago’s South Side. There, he was asked about jobs and economic opportunities for minority communities. In response, the mayor defended his hiring practices, saying his administration reflects the city’s diversity.
“My team looks like the people of Chicago,” Johnson said. “The last administration looked more like a private club.”
Johnson said that for many years, Black and other minority residents in Chicago were often left out by past city leaders. He said giving more people a chance helps everyone, adding, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
According to the latest U.S. Census data, Chicago’s population is made up of about 39% white residents, 29% Latino, 28% Black, and 7% Asian. The mayor’s office shared that its current staff is 34% Black, 30% white, 24% Hispanic, and 7% Asian.
Despite the investigation, Mayor Johnson says he will continue to promote a government that represents all people in the city.
