Weekend Recap: Mayor Brandon Johnson Invites U.N. Experts To Chicago, Cuts The Ribbon On New Teen Center, Continues Budget Town Halls, Announces NYE Celebration

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made headlines this weekend as he addressed the ongoing human rights abuses carried out during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the city. He also took part in various events, including the opening of a new teen education center and town hall meetings as part of his Protecting Chicago Budget tour.

On Friday, Mayor Johnson called for the United Nations Human Rights Council to send independent investigators to Chicago to document the worsening situation caused by the federal government's actions. This call came after reports of federal agents using tear gas and flashbang grenades on protesters in Little Village and pepper spray on a one-year-old child in suburban Cicero.

The following day, Mayor Johnson joined Aldermen Daniel La Spata, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, Jessie Fuentes, and Anthony Quezada for a Protecting Chicago Budget Town Hall at Goethe Elementary School on the Northwest Side. He emphasized the importance of protecting programs that support vulnerable populations and answered questions from residents about his budget proposal.

Later that day, Mayor Johnson cut the ribbon at After School Matters' new Orleans Teen Center in Cabrini-Green. The center was created through a $5 million Community Development Grant from the Department of Planning and Development and will provide paid out-of-school time opportunities for approximately 2,100 Chicago teens each year. During the event, Mayor Johnson spoke about investing in young people and providing them with meaningful opportunities for success.

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In response to reports of shots fired at officers and ICE agents pepper spraying a one-year-old child, Mayor Johnson released a statement expressing his concern. He also appeared on MSNBC with Reverend Al Sharpton to discuss these incidents, his call for UN experts to visit Chicago, and the impact of the federal government shutdown on the city.

On Sunday, Mayor Johnson attended another Protecting Chicago Budget Town Hall in Lakeview with Alderman Bennett Lawson. At this event held at Center on Halstead, he highlighted provisions in his budget proposal that address safety concerns within the LGBTQ+ community and gathered feedback from constituents.

In a final announcement this morning, Mayor Johnson revealed that Chicago will host the Midwest countdown on New Year's Eve for the first time in the 50-year history of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." This event, in partnership with ABC7 and Dick Clark Productions, will bring even more attention to the city and its vibrant New Year's celebrations.

Mayor Johnson's actions and statements over the weekend have drawn international attention to Chicago and its ongoing struggles with human rights abuses and budget concerns. He continues to advocate for his Protecting Chicago Budget proposal and address issues affecting the city's most vulnerable populations.

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