Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) faces criticism over the recent promotion of Kennedy Bartley, an aide with a history of anti-police views. The promotion, which comes with a salary increase to $192,000, is raising eyebrows at a time when the Chicago Police Department (CPD) faces significant challenges, including a shortage of 2,000 officers, frozen city hires and reduced police academy classes.
Despite a projected $1 billion budget deficit for 2025, largely attributed to increased spending on migrant services and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Johnson allocated funds to hire three so-called community safety aides, including Bartley, who have previously advocated for defunding the police. The decision has become a point of contention in the Windy City.
Confrontation with William J. Kelly
The controversy reached a new level when citizen journalist William J. Kelly confronted Bartley in a profanity-laced exchange, which was captured on video and posted on social media platform X. Kelly pressed Bartley and Johnson’s press aide with direct questions about the city’s handling of public safety and the administration’s priorities.
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Background on Kennedy Bartley
Kennedy Bartley joined the Johnson administration in May after serving as the executive director of the United Working Families party, a progressive coalition that includes the CTU, SEIU Healthcare, Grassroots Illinois Action and Action Now. In her current role, Bartley serves as a liaison to elected officials, unions and community groups, aiming to advance a vision for a more inclusive Chicago and Illinois. Her responsibilities include “creating space for independent politics” and advocating for policies that benefit a broader segment of the population, “not just the wealthy few.”
Rising Crime and Public Safety Concerns
Chicago’s persistent crime challenges have added to the scrutiny surrounding Bartley’s promotion. The city has grappled with rising crime rates, which have intensified public pressure on the administration’s handling of public safety. In a high-profile incident last year, police detained a man living across the street from Mayor Johnson, accusing him of multiple crimes, including the murder of a woman with a baseball bat. According to police, the man disposed of her body in the alleyway behind his house while smoking crack.
Meanwhile, CPD has experienced a surge in retirements and resignations, creating a staffing gap that has been extraordinarily difficult to fill. The ongoing pressures and risks associated with the job, along with political and community tensions, have led thousands of officers to leave earlier than expected.
The CPD’s overall staffing has decreased substantially from a peak of about 13,000 officers in past decades. Recent estimates place the number of active-duty officers closer to 11,000, straining the department’s ability to maintain consistent coverage across the city.
Over a three-year period beginning in 2020, CPD experienced a net loss of approximately 1,425 officers.
Johnson’s decisions and the city’s approach to public safety are under increasing scrutiny, with his approval rating plummeting amid recent controversies and challenges, including his handling of Chicago’s migrant crisis. As of October 2024, his approval rating stands at approximately 28%.
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Vote him OUT
Gee, big surprise. The inmates are running the asylum.