DOJ Slaps High-Profile Dem With Civil Rights Investigation
DOJ Opens Civil Rights Investigation After Chicago Mayor’s Controversial Hiring Remarks
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Monday that it has launched a civil rights investigation into Chicago’s hiring practices following remarks by Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson that highlighted the racial makeup of his senior staff.
The federal inquiry will examine whether the city’s employment decisions comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination.
Johnson, who assumed office in 2023, made the comments during a Sunday speech at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.
He took pride in the racial diversity of his administration, naming multiple black officials serving as deputy mayors, chief operations officer, budget director and senior advisor.
“There are some detractors that will try and push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people,’” Johnson said. “No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet.”
Those remarks triggered a response from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon addressed a letter to Chicago officials expressing concerns that if hiring decisions for top-level positions are being made based on race, similar practices might apply at lower levels.
“If these kind of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions,” Dhillon wrote, according to Just the News.
The mayor’s office confirmed awareness of the investigation in a statement to ABC-7 Chicago.
“Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the history of our city,” the statement read. “Our administration reflects the diversity and values of Chicago. Unfortunately, the current federal administration does not reflect either.”
Johnson’s tenure has been fraught with several controversies.
His handling of the migrant housing crisis attracted criticism after city funds were allocated to shelters in schools and public parks, sparking debate about resource priorities.
Critics argued these decisions strained public services for longtime Chicago residents.
Public safety has also been a contentious issue.
Johnson’s approach shifted funding from traditional policing to alternative community-based safety programs, which opponents say have contributed to a rise in violent crime.
These policy changes led to clashes with city council members and law enforcement officials.
Financial challenges have compounded the mayor’s struggles. In 2023, the Chicago City Council rejected Johnson’s proposal to raise real estate taxes as a way to address budget deficits.
The defeat highlighted divisions within city leadership over fiscal management and priorities, Block Club Chicago reported.
The DOJ investigation focuses on whether the city’s employment practices violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
While no timeline has been set, the inquiry underscores federal attention on local government hiring practices.
Federal officials noted that public statements by elected leaders can serve as grounds for probing potential systemic discrimination. The investigation may expand if further evidence of discriminatory practices is uncovered.
The mayor’s office has not yet detailed how it will cooperate with the investigation but reiterated its commitment to fostering a diverse workforce.
Johnson’s administration has frequently highlighted its emphasis on equity and inclusion in city operations.
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