Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is stepping back from the idea of a city-run grocery store but is open to considering New York-style congestion pricing for Downtown.

Looking ahead to 2025, Johnson aims to expand youth hiring programs, build more affordable housing, and enhance public health resources, including mental health crisis response teams.

However, advancing his agenda may prove challenging with a divided City Council, which narrowly passed last year’s budget after heated debate, Block Club Chicago has reported.

Johnson defended his administration’s approach, highlighting the avoidance of layoffs, furloughs, or service cuts while maintaining the city’s core values.

Written by B.C. Begley