DOJ Launches Investigation Into Chicago After Mayor Brandon Johnson Brags About ‘Most Diverse Admin’

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices of the government of Chicago, Illinois, Monday after a Mayor Brandon Johnson said he oversaw “the most diverse administration” Sunday.

A letter sent to Johnson by Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon said their investigation would determine if the city “is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination” in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race.

“Our investigation is based on information suggesting that you have made hiring decisions solely on the basis of race,” the letter read.

The letter shared the list of positions Johnson said were filled by black officials during his speech at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn.

“Business and Economic Neighborhood Development, the deputy mayor, is a black woman. Department of Planning and Development is a black woman. Infrastructure, the deputy mayor, is black woman. Chief Operations Officer is a black man. Budget Director is a black woman. Senior Advisor is a black man,” the mayor said Sunday. (RELATED: University Shuts Down ‘Antiracism’ Center After DCNF Exposes Founder’s Flawed Research)

“If these kinds of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions,” the letter said.

In an interview with Johnson, pastor Dr. Byron T. Brazier asked the mayor how he would ensure that business would be done “with black people that have the competence to do it.” He emphasized that black residents in Chicago were “not looking for a free hand, we’re just looking for somebody to do business with us.”

The full interview can be viewed here.

“In your administration, what are we doing to ensure that there are multiple advantages that are not limited to 2, 3 percent of a billion dollar spend of the city?” the pastor asked.

Johnson responded with a quote he said was from civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson: “Our people hire our people.”

The mayor appeared to say that securing black officials in senior positions ensures black residents of the city “get a chance to grow their business.”

Johnson compared the racial diversity of his administration to that of a previous mayor. “Two administrations ago, 70 to 75% of the administration was primarily made up of white and white men,” Johnson said. “In my administration, 45% of my administration is black, 25% is [Latino], 30% is white, 8% is Asian. It is the most diverse administration in the history of Chicago.”

“What I’m saying is when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s office issued a statement Monday in response to the DOJ letter, according to ABC7 Chicago. “Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the history of our city. Our administration reflects the diversity and values of Chicago,” the statement read.