East Central Reporter

State Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) is expressing concern over the decline in support for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson amid a surge in crime across the city. This comes as Chicago's crime rate continues to rise alarmingly.

“Mayor Johnson loses support as surging crime takes over the city of Chicago,” Miller said on Facebook.

“Unfortunately, progressive policies are soft on criminals and we are seeing it unfold across our communities. We need law and order to protect our residents!”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a low 28% approval rating among 800 registered Chicago voters according to a recent poll conducted by Echelon Insights for the Illinois Policy Institute. The survey, conducted from Oct. 18 to 22, also indicates that 50% of those polled disapprove of how Johnson is handling his mayoral duties, while 22% remain unsure. Johnson’s approval ratings on specific issues, such as crime and public safety, housing and homelessness, and the management of the migrant issue, are notably low, with two-thirds of voters expressing disapproval. The results suggest significant challenges for Mayor Johnson in terms of public perception and support.

Six months into his term, Johnson faces a significant decline in approval ratings, with constituents expressing skepticism about his readiness for the role. The poll results suggest that the public desires effective governance and tangible solutions to the city’s problems, indicating a challenging road ahead for Johnson as he navigates concerns from a dissatisfied electorate. According to the Chicago Contrarian, one significant issue contributing to the decline in Johnson’s popularity is his perceived alignment with the Chicago Teachers Union. Critics argue that Johnson has failed to distance himself from the union’s influence, evident in key appointments like the hiring of former CTU officials Jennifer Johnson and Ronnie Reese.

The perception that Johnson is beholden to the CTU is further reinforced by policy decisions such as the creation of the deputy mayor for labor relations position and the granting of paid family leave to CPS employees. The handling of illegal migrants in Chicago has become a focal point of dissatisfaction. With approximately 20,000 migrants arriving since August 2022, Johnson’s response, including the proposal for "tent cities" in several neighborhoods, has faced backlash. Residents, concerned about the strain on emergency services and public safety, have criticized the mayor’s approach, leading to contentious community meetings and protests.

"Upon his election, most were not expecting Johnson to be the next messiah. While Chicago residents would have settled for less than a savior, the current mayor has demonstrated he has fallen short of mediocrity and so the words he uttered about building a better, stronger, safer Chicago — words which once had a hypnotic effect on voters — today just elicit a roll of the eyes. For the sake of Chicago, Johnson should have remained a CTU organizer," the Chicago Contrarian said of the poll.

The Chicago Contrarian further notes, that as Chicago grapples with rising crime and other serious challenges, voters are increasingly looking for competence, leadership and solutions from their mayor and that Johnson’s perceived reliance on excuses and the framing of issues through a racial lens have contributed to a growing sense of frustration among the public.

The escalation in citywide crime further compounds these problems. Crime in Chicago has seen a precipitous increase over the past few years. As of early November, the city recorded 2,110 shootings and 522 homicides. The Chicago Police Department reports a significant increase in firearm recoveries, including over 1,000 assault-style weapons, representing an 18% increase over the previous year. Additionally, CPD data shows a substantial rise in robberies with a 25% increase and motor vehicle thefts up by 59% year-to-date compared to recent years; this suggests multifaceted challenges for law enforcement, according to WTTW.