Chicago’s deputy mayor for education steps aside to focus on health and family

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Chicago’s deputy mayor for education, youth and human services is stepping down from her role amid an ongoing conflict between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools.

Vice Mayor Jennifer “Jen” Johnson told Chalkbeat late last week that she would be on leave for the next few weeks. It’s unclear for how long. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said Monday he could not comment on personnel matters.

“I’m going to take some time to really focus on my health and my family,” Johnson said, adding that he doesn’t want his leave to be misinterpreted or used as political fodder.

Mayor Johnson named Jen Johnson Deputy Mayor for Education, Youth and Human Services in May 2023. Jen Johnson previously served as chief of staff for the Chicago Teachers Union and was a high school history teacher. In addition to CPS, its focus over the past year has centered on expanding youth employment and helping migrant students.

Jen Johnson, who is not related to the mayor, said in a June 2023 interview with Chalkbeat that she hoped contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union would be “less painful, more inclusive and driven by a shared set of goals.”

But negotiations became tense, in particular, with the CTU targeting CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, who was hired by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

In an interview late last week, Jen Johnson said the mayor’s administration “has signaled all kinds of desire to partner” with the Martinez administration.

“We really try to operate that way so we can avoid the acrimony and the fighting,” Johnson said. “I don’t feel like the partnership existed.”

In recent months, the relationship between the Speaker’s office and Martinez has become increasingly tense – as the two have argued over how to cover impending costs, including a pension contribution for non-teaching staff and related additional expenses with new contracts from the Chicago Teachers Union and principals. The conflict also comes as billions in federal government COVID relief money expire.

Last month, Mayor Johnson called on Martinez to resign, but he refused. The school board has the sole power to fire the district CEO. Earlier this month, tensions rose when all seven members of the mayor’s appointed school board resigned amid the turmoil. The mayor announced six of the seven new members the following week.

Next month, in Chicago’s first school board election, city voters will elect 10 school board members and the mayor will appoint 11.

Becky Vevea is the Chicago bureau chief at Chalkbeat. Contact Becky at [email protected] .