Mayor Brandon Johnson defended his record on economic development and business relations Thursday, rejecting criticism that he is anti-business while speaking before a group of Black business owners.
Johnson addressed the Business Leadership Council as he campaigns for a second term in office. He said one of the biggest surprises during his first term has been what he sees as the influence of corporate interests on elected officials.
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“There are individuals who were elected just like I was elected, who represent communities in which I live and in many of us come from that are more afraid of the corporate dollars than their constituents,” Johnson said.
The mayor spoke to members of the Business Leadership Council, an organization of Black business owners that includes many supporters of his reelection effort.
Business owner Delante Grier said Johnson’s administration has provided access and opportunities for business owners seeking to engage with City Hall.
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“That’s all we’re asking for is information and a chance to have a seat at the table. We’re willing to earn it. That’s all we’ve asked for, and that’s what we’ve received,” Grier said.
Johnson said his administration is open to working with businesses. Though he acknowledged that not all corporations share his priorities. He argued that concentrating investment in downtown Chicago maintains the status quo rather than producing broader change across the city.
“That’s why I find it to be somewhat laughable when I get criticized for not being business friendly, but yet somehow there are cranes in the air in communities that have sat desolate,” Johnson said.
The mayor pointed to investments on the South and West sides as examples of his approach to economic development.
His mayoral opponent, businessman Willie Wilson, sharply criticized Johnson’s record, calling the mayor anti-business.
Wilson said Johnson’s support for taxes on businesses harms neighborhoods throughout the city, not just downtown.
“If you raise head tax on business in downtown, you raise it in the community as well. So he doesn’t quite understand that. He just doesn’t get it; this mayor has been bad for business,” Wilson said.
Wilson also said Johnson has more work to do in improving minority access to City Hall. He said that of the billions of dollars the city spends on procurement, only a small number of contracts go to Black and brown businesses.
The differing views highlight an emerging debate over economic development, business taxes and access to city government as Johnson seeks a second term and Wilson continues his challenge to the mayor’s leadership.
