Overview

• The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into the City of Chicago’s hiring practices under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• The probe was triggered by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s remarks at a church event, where he stated he made hiring decisions 'solely on the basis of race.'
• Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon cited Johnson’s comments highlighting Black appointees in senior roles, including deputy mayors and department heads.
• Federal officials will examine whether race-conscious hiring extends beyond senior positions and constitutes a broader pattern of discrimination.
• Mayor Johnson defended his approach, emphasizing the importance of uplifting Black communities while asserting that such efforts benefit all residents.