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1. Mayoral, alderperson races headed to runoffs!

In the first round of Chicago’s municipal elections, voters sent former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson to the April 4 runoff. In doing so, they made Mayor Lori Lightfoot the first one-term mayor since 1983.

In City Council, essentially every incumbent alderperson won an outright majority or secured a spot in the runoff. While mail-in ballot are still being tallied, it appears that there will be 14 alderperson runoffs in April.

If you’re looking for detailed information about election results across the city, check out Block Club’s fun and interactive infographics.

2. CPD Superintendent Brown is resigning

In the run-up to the election, every mayoral candidate besides Lightfoot vowed to remove CPD Superintendent David Brown if they took office. With Lightfoot failing to make the runoff, Brown preemptively announced his resignation effective March 16 after three years leading CPD.

Now, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) will lead a nationwide search — one of their core responsibilities outlined in ECPS. Commissioner Remel Terry said: “The Commission has a vested interest in ensuring this is the most inclusive and transparent selection process in the city’s history.”

3. Migrants in Chicago need more support

More than 5,000 migrants have arrived in the Chicago area in the past six months, and many are struggling to find housing and other necessities. Local immigration groups are stepping up to meet material needs like clothing and transportation, but housing remains the biggest challenge.

Chicago’s shelter system is overloaded, so the city has started creating makeshift shelters, and some individuals and groups are welcoming individuals and families into their homes.

Take Action: Contact your state lawmakers now and tell them to support the ICIRR 2023 platform, which calls for expanded services and benefits to immigrant individuals and families.

4. People’s Hearing for BCH

On Sunday, March 12, our Bring Chicago Home coalition is holding a People’s Hearing at Grace Church of Logan Square (3325 W Wrightwood). This will be an opportunity for voices that silenced by Mayor Lightfoot and real estate lobby to be heard, and for us to envision together what a city that truly works for the people could look like. Register here.

We’re also excited to welcome Sam Rose as our new Housing Justice Fellow. Sam is an artist and an educator who has been part of the JCUA community for years, where he’s worked on Bring Chicago Home as part of the Housing & Economic Justice Committee.

Sam will be working for the next six months to build JCUA’s capacity to fight for housing justice, to ensure Bring Chicago Home passes within the first 100 days of the new administration, and to help us expand our base among Jews with lived experience of housing and economic insecurity. Welcome, Sam!

5. CVP Impact Tour in April

Join us on Friday, April 21 for our Community Ventures Program (CVP) Impact Tour. The Impact Tour is an opportunity to gather with fellow JCUA community members to celebrate our partners and reflect on the role of Community Development in Chicago

We’ll visit community partners Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS) in Old Town and PODER in Gage Park, and enjoy a delicious lunch catered by ChiFresh Kitchen. Please register by April 10.