This morning just after 1 a.m., a private Boeing 777 originating from San Antonio, Texas landed at the Rockford/Chicago airport carrying 350 asylum seekers. There was no communication from Texas, and the City of Chicago was alerted by authorities in Rockford regarding the flight.
Upon landing, asylum seekers were placed on buses chartered by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and dropped in various surrounding suburbs, left to find their way to the city.
This is the second recorded instance of the Texas governor transporting asylum seekers via private plane.
For three years, Justin Fields brought heart, hustle and muscle to every snap, making big plays and inspiring Bears fans of all ages with his drive and determination.
We wish him the very best in his future in the NFL, and thank him for giving his all to our team and our city.
It was an honor to welcome you to Chicago,
@POTUS
. As long as I am mayor, no place will better align with your economic vision than the City of Chicago.
I was proud to announce today with
@ChiPubSchools
&
@CTULocal1
that Chicago Public Schools will be developing an expanded, 12-week paid parental leave policy for employees.
Viva Mexico! Chicago puts on the biggest Mexican Independence Day parade in the Midwest, and for the first time in its 26-year history, on the date of the country’s independence. Wishing joy to our beautiful Mexican community, and its rich history that powers our great city. 🇲🇽❤️
I am so humbled by the beauty of our great city. Today, PRIDE was on full display in Chicago. To my LGBTQ+ friends, know that you have a brother and an ally on the fifth floor.
It is my privilege to honor our history with a proclamation that August 30th will be known as Chairman Fred Hampton Day in the City of Chicago. Chairman Fred’s commitment to racial and economic equality was the driving force that fueled his every action.
I took a slightly different commute today 🚴🏿♂️. The opportunity to ride from the West Side to the Loop is a special one. Bike safety is public safety and I’m committed to improving biking and transit infrastructure, equitably, so that all Chicagoans can move around our city safely.
Investing in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure not only increases safety, but also improves quality of life by connecting neighborhoods and promoting healthy living.
The goal? Safe mobility in every Chicago community.
Newly completed improvements to Augusta Blvd are making the street safer for everyone:
🚶♀️Safer intersections & reduced pedestrian crossing distances
🚲Protected bike lanes, providing a low-stress connection to Milwaukee Ave
🚸Lower speed limit
More here:
When individuals say Black Chicagoans want what asylum seekers want, it’s not true. Black Chicagoans want what they deserve.
And I will not let an “us vs. them” mentality interfere with our work to provide a better life for anyone who wishes to have one in the city of Chicago.
If incarceration = safety, the U.S. would be the safest country in the world. We’ve tried prosecuting our way out of gun violence. It hasn’t worked.
Thank you to the legislators and advocates making Illinois a national leader in reform by working to eradicate a broken system.
First Lady, First Mom, and a history maker as the first Black first lady of our great city. Wishing my love, and my best friend, the happiest of anniversaries today as we celebrate 25 years of marriage. Thank you for everything you do, and for being the center of my world. ❤️❤️
Today, I signed an executive order to establish the first Chief Homelessness Officer for the City of Chicago to support our unhoused.
We will now have a critical point of leadership to coordinate efforts and leverage the full force of government to provide shelter for all.
Chicago is a proud union town. I stand in solidarity with
@WGAWest
&
@WGAEast
for their demands for fair pay & proper working conditions. We must stand behind our creatives who continue to enrich our lives through their art & support each other in times of need.
I am devastated by the murder of a six-year-old Palestinian American, Wadea Al-Fayoume, and the attempted murder of his mother in Plainfield, Illinois. This despicable hate crime is a shameful reminder of the destructive role Islamophobia plays in our society.
Chicago is a city of immigrants, founded on Indigenous land by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable and his Potawatomi wife, Kitihawa. So today, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor our roots, and recognize this region’s first communities and their contributions to our great city.
Great ride on the Green Line this morning, one of the many lines and routes serving people, so that people can better serve and enjoy our city.
I’m committed to our commuters and transit workers, and to making public transit safe, efficient and reliable to keep Chicago moving.
I’m committed to ensuring that all of Chicago has abundant access to safe active transportation options in order to create healthy, sustainable and equitable communities. DuSable Lake Shore Drive is gorgeous from every angle, and belongs to the people.
Today, we passed the One Fair Wage ordinance, raising the subminimum wage for restaurant and hospitality workers. This is the culmination of years of advocacy, and a win for Black and Brown women, and workers across our great city.
Thank you to all who fought to make history.
The City of Chicago is carefully monitoring and taking precautions as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has categorized our Air Quality Index as "unhealthy" due to Canadian wildfire smoke present in the Chicago region. 🧵
Access to grocery stores is already a challenge for many residents, especially on the South and West sides. But all Chicagoans deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery options.
Congratulations to a native son and one of Chicago’s own,
@DwyaneWade
, on his induction into the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame, and taking his rightful place among legends of the game! 🏀
We must act boldly and quickly to move Chicago away from our reliance on fossil fuels, and ensure that everyone has access to clean energy alternatives. A
#GreenNewDeal
for Chicago means that we leave no one behind in the transition to a clean energy future.
Draw shades and turn off all non-essential lights from 11 p.m. to sunrise to protect birds, especially during the peak migration seasons.
Other ways you can help:
🐦 Stock your bird feeders
🐦 Grow native plants
🐦 Full and fresh water sources
🐦 Leave your leaves for shelter!
Despite offering iconic views to residents and tourists, the Chicago skyline can prove deadly for millions of migratory birds that pass through the city.
I am so honored to be the first mayor of Chicago to join and celebrate with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer South Siders at the Pride South Side Festival! 🧵
Percolator, Can You Feel It, Brighter Days, Altered States, Devotion, Jack Your Body, the Whistle Song… Chicago is the birthplace of house music, and house is the soundtrack to our soul, so I had to join the 40,000 strong at the Chosen Few Picnic and Festival today. 🧵
After 45 years, tonight we say thank you and farewell to our good friend, Tom Skilling.
Your reliable, reassuring presence on
@WGNNews
has carried us through every weather event imaginable. You are truly a part of the Soul of Chicago, Tom.
Wishing you a sunny retirement!
Today, on my first day in office, I signed four executive orders to jumpstart our mission for a better, stronger, safer Chicago. This is just the beginning.
Happy heavenly birthday to my sister, my mentor and my hero, Karen Lewis. Karen's memory will forever live on in Chicago as an unmatched force for equity and justice in public education. I carry her wisdom and spirit in my heart every single day.
Today, we begin to right the wrongs of 50 years of disinvestment as I joined city, state and federal officials this morning to celebrate the announcement of $2 billion in critical grant funding to extend the Red Line on the Far South Side from 95th Street to 130th Street.
The City of Chicago just passed the most progressive paid time off legislation in the U.S.
Paid time off helps businesses retain workers, and helps workers find time for family, and health.
We are investing in workers, and investing in people.
When workers win, everyone wins.
Today's Supreme Court decision allowing businesses to refuse services based on personal beliefs not only violates principles of equality but opens the door to an extremely dangerous precedent.
Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that will effectively end affirmative action is devastating for decades of progress toward creating equitable and inclusive education opportunities for students of color.
Having lost a brother who died addicted and unhoused, the issue of homelessness is extremely personal for me.
Our unhoused neighbors deserve policies that will deliver the services and support they deserve to live with dignity, safety and security.
Today, an alderwoman and an aide, while attempting to meet with constituents, were victims of a physical attack by area residents. My administration supports the right to peaceful protest and free speech, but this type of action against a public servant is unconscionable.
Chicago, we have an exciting weekend of events and activities ahead of us. Check out all the things happening around our city. Let’s have a fun and safe weekend, friends! ⬇
Organizers who once filled the halls of the 5th floor of City Hall now sit next to me, setting tables for how we provide treatment, not trauma, how we transform public housing, and how we Bring Chicago Home.
Thank you for the direction you have provided me, and our great city.
It was a pleasure to welcome
@SecondGentleman
to the Friendly Confines last night for the second of two amazing shows from
@springsteen
. Thank you to Mr. Springsteen,
@StevieVanZandt
and E Street Band for bringing the pride of East Jersey to the soul of Chicago.
Today, the City filed a civil lawsuit against Kia America, Inc., Kia Corporation, Hyundai Motor America, and Hyundai Motor Company for their failure to include industry-standard engine immobilizers in models of their vehicles.
Read the full release here:
This morning, the City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations will hold a subject matter hearing on Treatment Not Trauma, and initiatives to address mental health crises and crisis prevention in Chicago.
This is just one step toward a better, stronger and safer Chicago.
Today's City Council:
✔️ Approved ordinance creating working group around expanded mental health
✔️First-ever hearing on Bring Chicago Home to address homelessness
✔️ Expanded Gender-Based Violence Task Force
✔️ Vote to raise subminimum wage Friday
Let's keep it up, Chicago.
We did everything I said we would do.
✅Youth jobs
✅Support for unhoused
✅Violence prevention and intervention
✅Department of the Environment
✅Re-opening mental health clinics
✅Re-entry, restoration and reparations
Without raising property taxes.
Thank you, Chicago.
The soul of Chicago is in all of us. That's why I made it my life's purpose to serve the greatest city in the world. Together, we will build a safer city by investing in our people. That means affordable housing, living wages, youth employment, & developing all our communities.
Our transportation system has long hindered residents beyond 95th St. But every Chicagoan deserves convenient access to transit, connecting them to all parts of our city.
This is the largest infrastructure funding in CTA history, and it will change lives.
My brother Leon was my hero, and is my motivation. A husband and father, he struggled with mental illness and died addicted and unhoused.
On this International Overdose Awareness Day, let’s remember family and loved ones lost, and recommit to ending this wicked epidemic.
The Johnson administration remains intensely focused on the deeply troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by a Chicago Police Department officer against a minor new arrival, and other allegations of sexual misconduct in the Chicago Police Department’s 10th District.
Labor is the backbone of our country. And that backbone will not break.
@UAW
, Chicago stands in solidarity with your fight for living wages, retirement security, better working conditions and the respect and dignity that you deserve.
And when we fight, we win.
#StandUpUAW
Thank you, Tom Skilling, for serving the greatest freaking city in the world for nearly 50 years – through the good weather, the bad weather, and every day in between.
With the creation of this policy, our teachers & school leaders can not only show up for their students but for their own families. This policy is a huge win for CPS employees, parents & our entire city.
Today, we moved one step closer to fighting homelessness for thousands of unhoused Chicagoans.
Homelessness is up 12% since 2019. Black Chicagoans account for 69% of the unhoused in our city. There are nearly 17,000 unhoused students in CPS.
It's time to Bring Chicago Home.
Today marks one month in office, and what a joy it’s been so far. To be mayor of the greatest city in the world is an honor and a privilege—one I do not take lightly.🧵
What an amazing way to start my first day in office, surrounded by community. Let it be known, the fifth floor belongs to the people and I’m here to listen. Now let's get to work, Chicago!
Today, the Highland Park community rallied with unity and strength to honor the victims and lives lost on this day last year. Keeping every friend, family, and the people of Highland Park in our hearts. Chicago loves you, and stands with you. ❤️
What a great way to kick off the weekend by marching in the annual Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade with friends, neighbors and dignitaries! Grateful to join such a vibrant and historic Puerto Rican community, and grateful to
@Ward26Chicago
for the welcome.
Happy Pride Month, Chicago! I will always stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings & protect your rights, now more than ever as we face the wave of attacks against the LGBTQ+ community. You are valued, you are loved, & you will always have a safe & welcoming home in Chicago.
Texas is explicitly attacking Democratic cities throughout the United States in retaliation to the end of Trump-era mandates that refused asylum seekers from the Carribean and South America.
Instead of communicating, they are crafting a humanitarian crisis.
Thank you to the Chicago
@Cubs
& Ricketts family for having me throw the first pitch this past Saturday. They said I couldn't get the split-finger across the plate! As a kid growing up with WGN, it was an honor to receive the invitation, & a great night with family & friends.
I was very excited to attend my first U.S. Conference of Mayors event today. As mayor, I want to build a city where children not only believe in a better world, but feel as if they deserve one.
My administration has delivered a compromise eliminating the sub-minimum wage, which is a huge step forward in bringing fair wages to food and restaurant workers.
Looking forward to continued partnership so both workers and businesses can thrive.
Today, my administration announced Chicago's first citywide composting initiative. Residents can bring their household food scraps to up to 15 locations, returning organic materials to the earth, and creating healthier communities across our great city.
My administration has filed a civil lawsuit against a network of property management companies for committing deceptive and unfair practices in the course of selling and leasing properties to predominantly low-income Chicago residents and families.
Met with U.S. ambassador to Japan, former Chicago mayor
@rahmemanuel
today to discuss opportunities to grow Chicago’s economy, especially emerging partnership between Japan’s tech sector and our world class universities. Thank you Ambassador Emanuel for your continued leadership.
Sending condolences to families and loved ones of victims of violence at a Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook last night. Everyone should be able to gather peacefully without fear, so we must remain committed to addressing gun violence in our city and neighboring communities.
A big thank you to Eric Williams, owner of the Silver Room and founder of the Silver Room Sound System Block Party, for the service and joy you have brought for nearly 20 years. You are the soul of Chicago, and we are grateful for your contributions to our city, and our culture.
Today we announced that Garien Gatewood will serve as the City of Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Community Safety. My goal is to build this City to be the best it can be, and with Garien's assistance, we will ensure that our neighborhoods are safer for everyone.
Today, President Biden approved a request from the City of Chicago and State of Illinois to declare a federal disaster in response to severe storms and flooding from June 29 to July 2, 2023. Here’s how we got here.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is attacking our city, our state and our country, shuttling asylum seekers across the country with no communication or coordination.
We stand with Denver & NYC in calling for support from all levels of government for this crisis.
Fatherhood first, so I’m blessed to be enjoying the first half of the Bears game with two of my favorite people — my sons. And special thanks to former Bear James “Big Cat” Williams for coming through for a hello!
It was an honor to meet with former NBA star and native Chicagoan,
@DwyaneWade
today. Born and raised in Chicago, Dwayne has long been involved in local philanthropic efforts and will continue to be a great partner in making our city strong and vibrant.
Today,
@chicago
filed suit against Glock for facilitating the proliferation of switches that turn pistols into illegal machine guns.
We will continue our work to protect Chicagoans from these deadly weapons and the companies that manufacture them.
More:
I wish my arms were long enough to hug everyone at the same time! Thank you, Chicago, for the peace, the love and the soul at a great Bud Billiken Parade, on a great day in Bronzeville, in the greatest city in the world.