Chicago needs unity, not divisive election season rhetoric

After heated words from Chicago's police union leader draw critique from both mayoral candidates, campaigns should seek good will and unity, not hostility in debate over police reform.

Mar 31, 2023

This week, incendiary comments about mayoral hopeful Brandon Johnson from police union head John Catanzara drew sharp criticism from both men vying for the mayor’s office.

Photo credit: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere of the Chicago Sun-Times

The head of the Fraternal Order of Police said of Johnson, “If this guy gets in, we’re going to see an exodus like we’ve never seen before,” adding that there would be “blood in the streets” if Johnson wins.

Paul Vallas has the FOP’s endorsement but has already leveled criticism at the organization for inviting potential GOP presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to Chicago.

“I condemn his comments,” Vallas said of Catanzara’s statement. “I think his comments are absolutely irresponsible. Period. They’re absolutely irresponsible and they have no place in this campaign.”

For his part, Johnson responded that the campaign’s “message has been centered around hope. Our hopes are turning into votes. So we’re inspiring people to come out to vote, and we’re not inspiring fear.”

While the two men differ sharply in their views about crime and police reform, and the issue has become a focal point in the campaign, the latest remarks from the head of the FOP have taken the debate to a new low.

At The Civic Update, we have championed unity, and have called on the church in Chicago to continue efforts at positive civic engagement post-election.

In contrast, the election itself has seen rhetoric that has sown division, with the latest comments from the FOP head just adding to an overall disunity in the body politic.

Catanzara is no stranger to threats of mass police resignation. Following the city’s vaccine mandate, the FOP leader urged officers to refuse the vaccine and suggested mass resignations would come as a result, though no such mass exodus took place. He also apologized for remarks linking the vaccine mandate to the Holocaust.

I’m glad to see both candidates have condemned the heated rhetoric, but both camps should also look to the ways in which their own rhetoric has spurred on divisiveness in this election season. The fish rots from the head.

People of good faith can have differences on any number of issues, including criminal justice and police reform. Whoever wins the mayoral election, the only thing “in the streets” of Chicago post-election should be a spirit of unity.

We at The Civic Update will do all we can to promote that spirit, and we hope you will join us in that effort.

The Round Up

Here are the stories that caught our eyes this week and what they mean for the weeks ahead.

More and more migrants are seeking shelter in Chicago Police station lobbies

Chicago police say almost every police station in the city has had migrants seeking shelter in their lobbies.

The city continues to welcome record numbers of migrants, with community groups shouldering the burden of caring for them.

For now, the police stations are a safe haven. However, thanks to a new directive from the outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration, migrants can no longer find safe haven at Chicago hospitals.

'Our voices need to be heard': Voters 'Party at the Polls' ahead of Tuesday's election

Hundreds of teenage first time voters cast their vote early on Tuesday.

Billed as a "Party at the Polls," the event was intended to make their first ballot box experience fun and comfortable.

More than 600 eligible 18-year-old voters from 13 high schools across the Chicago attended the Party at the Polls event.

City Council shakes off rubber-stamp reputation, declares independence

Both mayoral challengers Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have said they want to partner with an independent City Council.

Thanks to a committee expansion driven plan, that’s what seems to be in store for whichever man enters the mayor’s office.

The lame-duck Council voted overwhelmingly to ratify a plan from outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s allies. The plan will increase the number of City Council committees and change Council rules.