By Heather Cherone, May 10, 2023

The mayor’s actions were particularly galling for housing advocates because she campaigned on a promise nearly identical to the proposal known as Bring Chicago Home, only to reverse course after taking office.

That about-face was one of many campaign promises Lightfoot broke, including support for an elected school board as well as a proposal to give a board of Chicagoans the final say on policy for the Chicago Police Department.

By Erica Gunderson, May 6, 2023

Simmons said he believes if the Bring Chicago Home ordinance were enacted, communities across the city could see equally swift action.

“We’ve been pushing several administrations trying to get it into place and that right there alone, it seeks to create a dedicated stream of money by which we can address homelessness,” Simmons said. “So that right there in itself will allow us to do a lot in terms of connecting folks to housing and other resources that they need to stay housed.”

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Feb 7, 2023

CHICAGO – Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson on Thursday announced the formation of the Chicago for the People Transition Committee and 11 Subcommittees. The Transition Committee and Subcommittees will be guided by leaders from Chicago’s business, activist, and government communities. Their work will culminate in a written report issued in the coming weeks to shape and guide the work of the new administration.

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Feb 7, 2023

What are your priorities for the 5th Ward?

My priorities are passing a Treatment Not Trauma ordinance, a South Shore CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) ordinance and a Bring Chicago Home ordinance. I’ll work with the community and the administration to determine the order.

(Treatment Not Trauma is a campaign to reopen mental health clinics closed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and send mental health professionals in response to certain kinds of crisis calls. The South Shore CBA is a proposal to enact affordable housing protections and relief for condo and homeowners in South Shore. The Bring Chicago Home campaign seeks to use taxes on expensive real estate sales to finance services for Chicago’s unhoused population.)

April 22, 2023

Johnson joined reverend Jesse Jackson and other southside leaders at the event. He discussed supporting low income and working class communities as mayor. He emphasized parts of the organization's quality of life agenda, including investing in public education, employment opportunities and affordable housing >> "housing is a human right in and under a Johnson administration we're going to Bring Chicago Home. To make sure of the 65,000 families, of which 20,000 of students have a warm place to lay their heads and call their own.

By Max Blaisdell, April 21, 2023

What are your priorities for the 5th Ward?

My priorities are passing a Treatment Not Trauma ordinance, a South Shore CBA (Community Benefits Agreement) ordinance and a Bring Chicago Home ordinance. I’ll work with the community and the administration to determine the order.

(Treatment Not Trauma is a campaign to reopen mental health clinics closed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and send mental health professionals in response to certain kinds of crisis calls. The South Shore CBA is a proposal to enact affordable housing protections and relief for condo and homeowners in South Shore. The Bring Chicago Home campaign seeks to use taxes on expensive real estate sales to finance services for Chicago’s unhoused population.)

By Tessa Weinberg, April 17, 2023

Johnson’s top priorities in his first year in office include a bevy of progressive policy goals, such as reinstating a Department of Environment, reopening shuttered mental health clinics, and passing “Treatment Not Trauma” and “Bring Chicago Home” plans — efforts that aim to send health professionals, and not police, to mental health calls and increase funding for homelessness prevention by raising a tax on the sale of high-end properties. 

By Andrea Guthmann, April 15, 2023

Alice Yin, politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune shares how she will be following the Johnson Administration.

By John Greenfield, April 6, 2023

But what Chicago really needs is a new dedicated funding stream for affordable housing and wraparound services. Prout noted that the Bring Chicago Home ordinance, which would earmark an increase in the real estate transfer tax on $1 million-plus home sales to fund these things, is a promising strategy. Unfortunately, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her allies have been blocking it.

But there’s a new hope on the horizon, since mayor-elect Brandon Johnson has promised to support Bring Chicago Home. And a fresh crop of progressive alderpersons could help him pass the legislation.

By Gregory Pratt, Alice Yin and A.D. Quig, February 8, 2023

Chicago mayoral candidates spoke out about dirty trains, late buses and low homicide clearance rates in the Police Department during the latest debate as Mayor Lori Lightfoot defended her record.

The latest mayoral forum, moderated by WBEZ Reset host Sasha-Ann Simons, largely focused on public safety, transportation and education. U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, state Rep. Kambium “Kam” Buckner, former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Ald. Sophia King shared the stage with Lightfoot, while the remaining four candidates are expected to participate in a second event Thursday.