BREAKING: DOJ investigates Chicago mayor over claims he prioritized black people in hiring

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has launched an investigation into the employment practices of the city of Chicago after Mayor Brandon Johnson made comments on Sunday suggesting that he has "made hiring decisions solely on the basis of race." 

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon wrote in a letter to Johnson that the probe was opened to investigate potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

"Our investigation is based on information suggesting that you have made hiring decisions solely on the basis of race. In your remarks made yesterday at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, you 'highlight[ed] the number of Black officials in [your] administration,'" the letter stated, noting that Johnson highlighted multiple high-ranking positions that were held by black men and women.

"You then said that you were 'laying' these positions 'out' to 'ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business,'" Dhillon continued. "Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination as set forth above. If these kind 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."

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