The Conflict of Interest Dilemma: Mayor Johnson's Ties to CPS and the Teachers Union

Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has been under scrutiny due to potential ethics issues linked to his past role in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and ties to the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). Just a few weeks after his May 2023 inauguration, high-ranking CPS official Ben Felton wrote a memo expressing concerns about a conflict of interest. The memo detailed conversations with Deputy Mayor for Education Jen Johnson, who was also on leave from the CTU. Felton stressed that it could be problematic for both the mayor and deputy mayor to remain on leave from CPS while overseeing the school district. This situation raised questions about future job guarantees and the impartiality of the mayor's decisions. Despite these concerns, Johnson declined to resign from CPS. His press secretary, Erin Connelly, later clarified that the mayor ended his union membership and employment in April 2023, asserting no conflict exists. This complex scenario has been intertwined with broader political challenges, including accusations of favoritism towards the teachers union and struggles with CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.