...home of Al Capone, the Chicago Black Sox, a succession of Daleys, Barak Obama, and Rahm Emmanuel...
Mayor Brandon Johnson
...Hizzonner da Mare of Chicago. He was elected in April 2023 to replace the disastrous Lori Lightfoot and immediately set about out-Richtering her. A member of the Democratic Party (naturally), Johnson previously worked as a social studies teacher in the city's stellar public schools system. He helped organize the 2012 teachers strike. Prior to becoming Da Mare, he served on the Cook County Board of Boodling Commissioners from 2018 to 2023...about his "secret gift room" in Chicago's City Hall, the gifts have gotten pubic coverage from media and they are going to be donated to charity.
Johnson was being questioned in Congress over Chicago's sanctuary city policies, when Gill started grilling him on the different gifts that the mayor has been given. "For those of you who don't know, Mayor Johnson has a secret gift room that is not given access to the public," Gill said.
"On June 12, 2023, you received HUGO BOSS cufflinks and a personalized Montblanc pen. Do you know who gave you those?" Gill added, questioning the mayor.
Johson responded, saying, "So, I did not receive those personally, the city of Chicago—" Gill interjected, "The city of Chicago."
The Chicago mayor added, "That's right, on behalf of the city of Chicago."
Some of the gifts in the room include a signed Bulls jersey as well as a NASCAR driver's fire suit. In addition to that, there were HUGO BOSS cufflinks and a designer Montblanc pen, according to ABC7.
Gill did not stop there, but asked, "Do you know who gave those to the city of Chicago?" When Johnson began to say he received them on behalf of the city again, Gill pressed him again, "It's a yes or no question."
Both began to speak at the same time, with Gill then saying, "I reclaim my time sir. On March 18, 2024 you received a Gucci tote bag. Do you know who gave the city of Chicago that?"
Johnson reiterated that they were not personal gifts, but that they were given to the city separately. Gill once again, reclaimed his time as a politician at the hearing, and said, "This raises serious ethical concerns. You're providing an enormous amount of aid to illegal aliens, aiding and abetting criminals who have come into our country illegally. And you yourself are receiving an enormous amount of gifts, and you won't even tell us who they're coming from. This raises serious ethical concerns."
The local outlet reported that the gifts are now being shown to the public after there was a report from the Chicago inspector general which raised concerns about who gave the gifts. The gifts will now be listed on the city's website where it will also detail who offered the items and they will be donated on a regular basis.
Gill said of the new transparency on the gifts after the hearing regarding illegal immigration, "Chicago is a Sanctuary City that harbors criminal illegal aliens who are terrorizing the American people. Mayor Brandon Johnson has been a major proponent and defender of Sanctuary cities. At the same time, he was accepting luxurious gifts from undisclosed sources. While this new-found transparency is welcome, it isn't enough. Sanctuary city policies must end now. Our elected officials have a duty to American citizens, not illegal aliens."
Related:
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Brandon Johnson 02/25/2025 Let's Go Brandon - Chicago Mayor Approval
Brandon Johnson 03/03/2025 Four ‘sanctuary city' mayors prep for grilling in Congress this week: 'Held accountable'
Brandon Johnson 03/02/2025 National group says about 700,000 ICE arrest warrants nationwide, Illinois cops can’t help
Brandon Johnson 02/25/2025 Let's Go Brandon - Chicago Mayor Approval