The U.S. Supreme Court turned down the National Association for Gun Rights and a firearms retailer&#8217;s Second Amendment emergency appeal on Wednesday to block Illinois&#8217; new gun control law.
&#8220;The application for a writ of injunction pending appeal presented to Justice Barrett and by her referred to the Court is denied,&#8221; the Court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/051723zr_3314.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in an unsigned order with no dissents about the National Assn. for Gun Rights v. City of Naperville case.
Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the &#8220;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illinois-becomes-9th-state-in-union-to-ban-dozens-of-firearms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Protect Illinois Communities Act</a>&#8221; in January, which immediately banned the manufacture or possession of dozens of rapid-fire rifles and pistols, .50-caliber guns, and some attachments.
Illinois enacted the legislation after the Highland Park July 4 parade mass shooting, in which a gunman killed seven victims and wounded dozens of others. The gunman used a Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P15 semi-automatic rifle he legally purchased in 2020 despite the alleged killer&#8217;s documented history of threatening and suicidal actions.
According to the bill, the law requires Illinoisans who already own such firearms to register them with the state no later than January 1, 2024. Gun makers can only sell firearms to suppliers in other states, and owners of the newly-banned guns in the state can still keep the devices on their private properties.
Illinois residents possessing unregistered firearms listed in the new law could face a misdemeanor charge on the first offense and a felony charge for subsequent offenses.
Robert Bevis, the owner of Law Weapons &amp; Supply gun store in Naperville, and the gun rights group challenged Naperville&#8217;s ordinance, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment.
&#8220;The challenged laws ban arms commonly possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes,&#8221; lawyers for Bevis <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22A948/264471/20230426135957029_Motion%20in%20S%20Ct.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals judges last month.
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Bevis&#8217; attorneys referenced a 2008 ruling by the Supreme Court on the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller case, which found that a categorical ban on arms held by law-abiding citizens is unconstitutional.
&#8220;One would suppose that the district court would apply the Heller test or, failing that, at least explain why it believed the test is not applicable,&#8221; the attorneys wrote. &#8220;The district court did neither. It erred when it simply ignored Heller&#8217;s central holding. Nowhere in its opinion does it apply, or even acknowledge, Heller&#8217;s holding in this regard.&#8221;
The National Association of Gun Rights echoed similar points in its application, citing the Supreme Court decision to strike down New York state&#8217;s concealed carry law in the New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen case.
&#8220;This is an exceedingly simple case,&#8221; the group wrote. &#8220;The Second Amendment protects arms that are commonly possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, especially self-defense in the home. In the teeth of this Court&#8217;s precedents, the district court refused to address the evidence that the arms banned by the challenged laws are held by millions of law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes.&#8221;
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago will reportedly hear arguments on the case in June. For now, Illinois law will remain in place following the Supreme Court&#8217;s order.

US-NEWS-ILL-ASSAULTWEAPONS-BAN-2-TB

U.S. Supreme Court Turns Down Emergency Appeal To Block Illinois Gun Control Law

Gun Control

Illinois

J.B. Pritzker

Social Issues

Supreme Court

U.S.

Leftist allies of Chicago&#8217;s new Mayor Brandon Johnson have proposed a budget plan that would tax the rich and businesses, and would effectively defund police in a city already nearly crippled by crime.
The <a href="https://acrecampaigns.org/research_post/first-we-get-the-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">budget plan</a> was proposed by ACRE, the Action Center on Race and the Economy, in conjunction with the People&#8217;s Unity Platform and is titled &#8220;$12 Billion for a Just Chicago.&#8221; The first page begins with step one of the plan: &#8220;First we get the money.&#8221;
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The plan also calls for eliminating all current vacant positions at the Chicago Police Department AND cutting the CPD budget by 9%.
&mdash; Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomBevanRCP/status/1658850985874190346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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One of the plan&#8217;s authors, Saqib Bhatti, was a member of Johnson&#8217;s transition team.
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Big congratulations to ACRE&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/snbhatti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@snbhatti</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/FREEwrites_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FREEwrites_</a> for being named to two transition subcommittees for mayor-elect Brandon Johnson &amp; working toward a stronger, more equitable, safer Chicago. <a href="https://t.co/oZPZr0tUFI">https://t.co/oZPZr0tUFI</a>
&mdash; ACRE (@ACREcampaigns) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACREcampaigns/status/1653044102940819459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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ACRE touted the budget plan in a tweet claiming it would &#8220;reimagine everything in the city from policing to climate justice, housing &amp; more.&#8221;
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🚨🚨🚨 New report alert! 🚨🚨🚨
Learn how a moral budget for Chicago would reimagine everything in the city from policing to climate justice, housing &amp; more: <a href="https://t.co/o9Q4pWm11R">https://t.co/o9Q4pWm11R</a> <a href="https://t.co/fW7zCn0BS5">pic.twitter.com/fW7zCn0BS5</a>
&mdash; ACRE (@ACREcampaigns) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACREcampaigns/status/1658865069222944774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://acrecampaigns.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/First-We-Get-the-Money.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">budget plan</a> calls for $12 billion in new taxes — which would reportedly come in part from reducing the Chicago Police Department <a href="https://news.wttw.com/2023/01/02/sparing-residents-tax-hikes-months-election-chicago-s-2023-budget-takes-effect#:~:text=The%20Chicago%20Police%20Department%27s%20budget,a%20total%20of%20%241.94%20billion." target="_blank" rel="noopener">budget</a> ($1.94 billion in 2023) by 9%, or approximately $175 million. The city would also eliminate all current police department vacancies – which, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2022/8/31/23331411/cpd-chicago-police-vacancies-detectives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in August of 2022</a>, amounted to over 900 patrol officer vacancies and over 100 detective vacancies.
Corporations — or any business with at least 50 employees — would face a &#8220;head tax&#8221; of $33 per employee, which the report estimated would bring in $106 million in new revenue. Anyone making more than $100,000 would face an additional 3.5% income tax – totaling approximately $1.2 billion. The city&#8217;s top 10% of earners would also get hit with a .4% wealth tax – amounting to $960 million annually.
A real estate transfer tax on transactions of over $1 million — which the report states would generate $1.63 million in revenue — would be used to fund housing projects that the report claims would &#8220;eliminate homelessness.&#8221;
The plan also demanded that Chicago refuse to use any federal money to fund law enforcement or Wall Street interests, arguing that investing that money in public housing would contribute more to community safety.
The conclusion, according to ACRE, was that the city&#8217;s budget had to be approached from a morality standpoint – and that previous budgets had not done so to their satisfaction.
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&#8220;A city budget is a moral document. A moral budget should reflect residents’ priorities and needs. The challenges Black and Brown communities in Chicago are facing today are a direct reflection of the immoral budgets that mayors and alderpeople have imposed on residents for decades,&#8221; the report stated, claiming that Chicago&#8217;s policing system had always been &#8220;racist&#8221; and had not contributed to safer communities.

Brandon Johnson Is Sworn In As The 57th Mayor Of Chicago

‘First We Get The Money’: Chicago’s New Mayor Linked To Wild Budget Proposal That Attacks Businesses And Cops

Chicago's New Mayor Linked To Wild Budget Proposal That Attacks Businesses And Cops

Brandon Johnson

Chicago

Defund The Police

Economics

Lori Lightfoot

Politics

Taxes

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago</a> is welcoming a new Democratic mayor, leftist <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/brandon-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brandon Johnson</a>, marking the beginning of a new administration that will contend with a city beset by crime.
Johnson, a former union organizer and teacher, was sworn in on Monday after running a successful campaign with a stated commitment to build a <a href="https://www.brandonforchicago.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;stronger, safer and more equitable&#8221; Chicago.</a>
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Progressive Brandon Johnson (D) has been inaugurated as mayor of Chicago after his upset win against moderate Paul Vallas last month. <a href="https://t.co/OdVeSE8ktk">pic.twitter.com/OdVeSE8ktk</a>
&mdash; The Recount (@therecount) <a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1658171792165335040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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He <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-chicago-mayoral-candidate-defeats-moderate-rival-will-succeed-lori-lightfoot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defeated</a> moderate rival and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas in April to succeed the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/lori-lightfoot-blames-racism-right-wing-forces-for-devastating-loss-in-chicago-i-leave-my-office-with-my-head-held-high" target="_blank" rel="noopener">incumbent Lori Lightfoot</a> after she was beaten in the February primary election.
Johnson managed to overcome criticism for his past support of the &#8220;defund the police&#8221; movement while touting a <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/clarence-page-mayor-elect-brandon-100000992.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;holistic&#8221; approach</a> to public safety.
That point of view will be tested as Chicago, the nation&#8217;s third-most populous city, continues to make national headlines for its violent crime. Seven people were killed and 20 others were wounded just this past weekend, <a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-weekend-gun-violence-7-killed-5-teens-among-20-wounded/3141356/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to reports</a>.
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&#8220;Too many Chicagoans fear for their safety when they walk down the street to get groceries or drive to the gas station, because our city’s homicide and violent crime rates have consistently outpaced our peer cities,&#8221; Johnson said in <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandon4Chicago/status/1658157347959603201" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a tweet thread</a> on Monday.
In that thread, Johnson also envisioned making the city &#8220;the economic marvel of our state, the Midwest, and this nation.&#8221; This, too, will present a challenge as there are significant disparities in economic opportunity from neighborhood to neighborhood, and particularly low levels of wealth among households with people of color, as shown in an Urban Institute <a href="https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/chicago-neighborhoods-have-stark-differences-economic-opportunity#:~:text=Chicago%20typifies%20wealth%20inequity%2C%20with,wealth%20of%20%241%2C500%20or%20less." target="_blank" rel="noopener">study released in 2022</a>.
Other priorities for the mayor, as seen listed on Johnson&#8217;s <a href="https://www.brandonforchicago.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">campaign website</a>, include affordable housing, &#8220;healthcare for all,&#8221; and fully-funded schools.
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The public got a taste of how Johnson will tackle public safety when he reacted to large crowds of rowdy teenagers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bedlam-as-hundreds-of-teenagers-inundate-downtown-chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flooding the streets</a> of downtown Chicago last month.
Johnson said he did not &#8220;condone the destructive activity&#8221; witnessed at that time, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-chicago-mayor-elect-after-teenagers-violent-rampage-through-city-dont-demonize-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener">but stressed</a> that it &#8220;is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”
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The mayor said he is already coordinating with Fred Waller, Chicago&#8217;s new interim police superintendent, to map out ways to quell violence in the city, <a href="https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/violence-in-chicago-a-high-priority-for-brandon-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to WBBM radio</a>.
“It’s something that I’ve been focusing on throughout my entire political career,” Johnson said. “I’m raising a family in Chicago. I think about the violence that happens in the city of Chicago on a daily basis.”
Johnson faces the major task of preparing the city to host <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrats-choose-crime-ridden-city-for-2024-convention" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the 2024 Democratic National Convention</a>, which is set to be held August 19-22 and attract visitors from around the country.

Chicago Welcomes New Leftist Mayor With Vision Of A ‘Safer And More Equitable’ City

Chicago Welcomes New Mayor With Vision Of A 'Safer And More Equitable' City

Elections

Residents of Chicago&#8217;s South Shore community were not thrilled when they learned that the city planned to take in some 250 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/this-is-a-free-for-all-nyc-hotel-worker-describes-chaos-as-migrants-have-trashed-rooms-brought-in-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">illegal immigrants</a> – a number that they said was &#8220;fluid&#8221; and could increase over time.
During a public meeting addressing the situation, residents raised questions regarding crime and safety and asked why the city had not bothered to consult the people who lived in the community before making plans to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/migrants-ditch-visas-and-identification-papers-in-sea-of-trash-just-after-illegal-crossing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bring more people in</a>.
WATCH:
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Chicago residents are told that 250 illegals are coming to their neighborhood
This is how they reacted: <a href="https://t.co/YDRIBhqCxg">pic.twitter.com/YDRIBhqCxg</a>
&mdash; End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1656526885294075904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The meeting began with Chicago&#8217;s Chief Engagement Officer Nubia William, who tried to impress upon the residents that they were trying to help mitigate a humanitarian crisis — but the crowd began to shout her down before she could even finish her first sentence.
&#8220;What&#8217;s important is that we really establish that this is a humanitarian crisis —&#8221; she began, but people shouting in the crowd interrupted her.
When the time came for public comments on the issue, the residents and city leaders who chose to speak made it clear that they did not approve of the city&#8217;s plan.
&#8220;While this crisis may constitute an emergency for the city of Chicago, it does not constitute an emergency for the South Shore community,&#8221; 8th Ward Alderwoman Michelle Harris said, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd.
City leaders attempted to explain that the plan included converting an old high school building into a &#8220;respite center&#8221; for illegal immigrants, but the residents were not receptive to any of the officials&#8217; explanations.
&#8220;When it comes to the total number of people at South Shore at any given point in time, it is fluid,&#8221; one official said. &#8220;We&#8217;d start with 250, 500.&#8221;
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The crowd erupted in response, and then a resident stepped up to the microphone. &#8220;How could you do that without consulting us?&#8221; she asked, and another added, &#8220;I am concerned with safety in the area.&#8221;
Chicago has been a self-proclaimed &#8220;<a href="https://news.wttw.com/2023/01/14/welcome-chicago-exploring-what-it-means-be-sanctuary-city#:~:text=Chicago%27s%20history%20as%20a%20self,from%20enforcing%20federal%20immigration%20laws." target="_blank" rel="noopener">sanctuary city</a>&#8221; – where city officials are not permitted to enforce federal immigration laws – since former Mayor Harold Washington first issued an executive order to that effect in 1985. However, the recent surge in migrants arriving in Chicago has led to police departments being overwhelmed and outgoing Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot declaring a <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-chicago-migrant-costs-city-budget-20230509-dia2saihtbekvoqatzrkiffcwa-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">state of emergency</a>. &#8220;We&#8217;ve reached a breaking point,&#8221; she said.

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot Declares Emergency Amid Surge In Migrant Arrivals

Chicago Residents Informed The City Plans To Take In 250 Migrants. Watch How They React.

Chicago Residents Informed The City Plans To Take In 250 Migrants. Watch How They React

Illegal Immigration

Immigration

Sanctuary Cities

A federal judge in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/illinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illinois</a> has blocked the state&#8217;s assault weapons ban from taking effect.
Judge Stephen P. McGlynn of the Southern District of Illinois issued a <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ilsd.94369/gov.uscourts.ilsd.94369.45.0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">preliminary injuction</a> against the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/illinois-becomes-9th-state-in-union-to-ban-dozens-of-firearms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA)</a> Friday, blocking it while a lawsuit proceeds. McGlynn ruled that the law likely violates the Second Amendment and Supreme Court precedents set by the Heller and Bruen cases.
&#8220;Can the senseless crimes of a relative few be so despicable to justify the infringement of the constitutional rights of law-abiding individuals in hopes that such crimes will then abate or, at least, not be as horrific?&#8221; McGlynn wrote. &#8220;More specifically, can PICA be harmonized with the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and with Bruen? That is the issue before this Court. The simple answer at this stage in the proceedings is &#8216;likely no.’”
&#8220;The Supreme Court in Bruen and Heller held that citizens have a constitutional right to own and possess firearms and may use them for self-defense,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;PICA seems to be written in spite of the clear directives in Bruen and Heller, not in conformity with them. Whether well-intentioned, brilliant, or arrogant, no state may enact a law that denies its citizens rights that the Constitution guarantees them. Even legislation that may enjoy the support of a majority of its citizens must fail if it violates the constitutional rights of fellow citizens.&#8221;
First, McGlynn ruled against the law&#8217;s prohibition on &#8220;non-essential accessories&#8221; on firearms, such as threaded barrels, barrel shrouds, flash suppressors, or arm braces, as well as bans on 15-round handgun magazines. The state defended the law by contending that because they are not necessary to the function of a firearm, such accessories are not &#8220;arms&#8221; under the Second Amendment.
&#8220;The Seventh Circuit has recognized the Second Amendment as extending to &#8216;corollar[ies] to the meaningful exercise of the core right to possess firearms for self-defense,’” McGlynn ruled. &#8220;It is hard to imagine something more closely correlated to the right to use a firearm in self-defense than the ability to effectively load ammunition into the firearm. This Court agrees that magazines are ‘arms’ as used in the plain text of the Second Amendment.”
The judge also found that prohibiting accessories like arm braces, without any exceptions, interferes with the right of individuals with disabilities to use firearms. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives recognizes that stabilizing braces are necessary for disabled persons to use firearms. As such, the law fails to stand up to Second Amendment scrutiny. Furthermore, accessories that increase firearm proficiency, like pistol grips and flash suppressors, are also protected. The court also found that accessories, high-capacity magazines, and &#8220;assault rifles&#8221; like AR-15s and AK-47s are protected under &#8220;common use&#8221; because all of them have millions of units in circulation.
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&#8220;The Court recognizes that the issues with which it is confronted are highly contentious and provoke strong emotions,&#8221; McGlynn concluded, noting that the injunction does not yet block the law on the merits. &#8220;Nothing in this order prevents the State from confronting firearm-related violence. There is a wide array of civil and criminal laws that permit the commitment and prosecution of those who use or may use firearms to commit crimes. Law enforcement and prosecutors should take their obligations to enforce these laws seriously. Families and the public at large should report concerning behavior. Judges should exercise their prudent judgment in committing individuals that pose a threat to the public and imposing sentences that punish, not just lightly inconvenience, those guilty of firearm-related crimes.&#8221;

Gun and Gavel

Federal Judge Blocks Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

Federal Judge Block Illinois Assault Weapons Ban

Assault Weapons

Court

Guns

Second Amendment

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Second American Killed In Sudan
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/second-american-dead-sudan-white-house-national-security-council-spox-john-kirby-confirms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> this morning the death of a second American citizen in Sudan. In a statement to the press, Kirby said, &#8220;Although there are some reports of violence and sporadic shelling and firing, we’re glad to see that the levels of violence generally appear to have gone significantly down.&#8221;
&#8220;We urge both military factions to fully uphold the ceasefire and to further extend it,&#8221; he added.
The ceasefire has been in place since midnight on April 24.
Xi And Zelensky Phone Call
Xi Jinping, the <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/china-xi-jinping-volodymyr-zelenskyy-ukraine-finally-called-zelenskyy-first-since-russia-waged-war/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leader of the Chinese Communist Party</a>, reportedly called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday to discuss the war and other international matters. Here with more is Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips:
<blockquote>The call between Xi and Zelensky was the first phone call between the two leaders since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. According to sources close to the call, Xi told Zelensky that China would not add “fuel to the fire” and encouraged Zelensky to end the conflict “politically.”  
After the hour-long conversation … the Ukrainian president tweeted that he had a “long and meaningful call” while saying that particular attention was made to ending things through diplomacy. However, Zelensky stated that, “There can be no peace at the expense of territorial compromises while insisting that “the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be restored within the 1991 borders.”</blockquote>
Nuke Subs Head To South Korea
President Joe Biden welcomed his South Korean counterpart, President Yoon Sook Yohl, to the White House today for a state visit to celebrate the alliance between the two countries.
The two leaders also announced the “Washington Declaration” — a series of military and diplomatic policies aimed at deterring North Korea from attacking South Korea. The Biden administration will now deploy U.S. nuclear-armed submarines off the coast of South Korea — the first time in 40 years such submarines will be stationed there.
Debt Deal?
House Republicans are confident that they can pass Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt ceiling compromise bill on Wednesday, though eight GOP holdouts vow that they will not support the measure unless it is revamped to remove cuts to ethanol tax credits, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/04/19/mccarthy-debt-ceiling-bill-house-republicans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Axios. Just five GOP &#8220;no&#8221; votes could tank the bill. McCarthy, for his part, says that the bill is just intended to open negotiations.
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Speaker Kevin McCarthy says his debt ceiling bill is a way to get to the negotiating table as the deadline looms. <a href="https://t.co/K4DXP87ChG">https://t.co/K4DXP87ChG</a> <a href="https://t.co/uLOTfcXlxq">pic.twitter.com/uLOTfcXlxq</a>
&mdash; USA TODAY (@USATODAY) <a href="https://twitter.com/USATODAY/status/1651239719760547845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Disney Sues DeSantis
Walt Disney World <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/desantis-central-florida-tourism-oversight-board-nullifies-disneys-11th-hour-deal-disney-files-lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a lawsuit today against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, claiming that he has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against the company. 
 The federal lawsuit alleges that DeSantis led a campaign to punish Disney over its political views and that it was “orchestrated at every step” by the governor, ultimately threatening their business profit. 
The governor’s office responded in a statement, saying the lawsuit is another attempt to undermine Florida voters. The <a href="https://twitter.com/LeoFeldmanNEWS/status/1651269770090618881?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> went on to say they are “unaware of any legal rights that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state.”
Illinois Judge Rules Chicago Must Rehire And Pay Back Anti-Vax Employees
An Illinois judge ruled that the city of Chicago <a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/city-of-chicago-employees-fired-for-refusing-covid-vaccine-must-be-reinstated-judge-rules/3124419/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">must</a> rehire and pay back lost wages of unionized city employees who were fired or disciplined for violating COVID vaccination requirements. The Judge said that the city &#8220;failed and refused&#8221; to bargain in good faith with union leaders &#8220;over the effects of its decision to implement a COVID vaccine mandate.&#8221;
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Wednesday

Wednesday Afternoon Update: Second American Killed In Sudan, Xi And Zelensky Phone Call, Debt Deal?

Wednesday Afternoon Update: Second American Dead In Sudan, Xi And Zelensky Phone Call, Debt Deal?

Disney World

General

Morning Wire

Ron DeSantis

South Korea

Shocking <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/viral-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kids-sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">youth wrestler</a> getting sucker punched after a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/sports" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrestling match</a> in Illinois started making the rounds on social media this week.
The incident took place at the &#8220;Beat The Streets&#8221; tournament on April 8 at Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/illinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illinois</a>, per <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/18/wrestler-sucker-punch-match-illinois-oak-park-police-investigation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TMZ</a>.
This <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/wrestling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrestling</a> tournament included athletes from ages 8 to 18. A video from the event, which just started making headlines, shows an 8th-grader from SPAR Wrestling Academy and his opponent from Maine West High School finishing up on the mat during a 125-128 pound freestyle third-place match. The SPAR wrestler won in a 14-2 decision.
But just before the competitors were meant to shake hands, the losing athlete suddenly sucker-punched the winner in the head. The SPAR wrestler instantly crumpled to the floor as onlookers rushed to his side. One woman could be heard screaming, “What the f***! Oh my God” as she rushed over.
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Hafid Alicea of Maine West (IL) throws a sucker punch at the line… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wtf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wtf</a> <a href="https://t.co/9m4HAxl2oF">pic.twitter.com/9m4HAxl2oF</a>
&mdash; The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrPatMineo/status/1646980265766518787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;He is making the best of the situation and is already back to training,&#8221; SPAR Wrestling Academy founder Justin Pearch told TMZ Tuesday.
&#8220;As you may know, wrestling matches can get heated but nothing leading up to the punch would give cause to such bad decision-making on the opponent&#8217;s part,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It’s not tolerated in our sport and SPAR Wrestling will never condone that behavior.”
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An Oak Park Police Department spokesperson said the incident is under investigation and that the parents of both minors are cooperating. The victim&#8217;s parents have reportedly filed assault charges, according to Pat Mineo of The Wrestling Room.
The Daily Mail <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-11988559/Youth-wrestler-sucker-PUNCHES-opponent-suffering-defeat.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> that the SPAR wrestler is a two-time Illinois state wrestling champion.

wrestling

WATCH: Illinois Youth Wrestler Sucker Punched After Match While Going For Handshake

kids sports

Sports

viral video

Wrestling

Mayhem <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/bedlam-as-hundreds-of-teenagers-inundate-downtown-chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has hit the streets of Chicago yet again</a> after more than 100 teenagers rioted this past weekend throughout the Windy City. In a city where a large number of children — particularly minorities — are born out of wedlock, that disorder is no surprise.
As video evidence shows, young Chicagoans jumped on cars and buses, set fires, and engaged in otherwise unruly conduct over the past few days. The police, by their own admission, were simply too overwhelmed to stop the chaos. Here is what some of it looked like:
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🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: Chaotic Scene Unfolds in Downtown Chicago as Teenagers Vandalize Cars and Gunfire Erupts 
📌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chicago?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chicago</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Illinois?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Illinois</a> ⁰ There is currently a significant police response taking place in downtown Chicago due to a large group of teenagers causing chaos. They have been… <a href="https://t.co/n7xhBpsTKs">pic.twitter.com/n7xhBpsTKs</a>
&mdash; R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/rawsalerts/status/1647457314494971910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Cell phone video shows group jumping on vehicle along Michigan Avenue <a href="https://t.co/vyGYiYnHpp">https://t.co/vyGYiYnHpp</a> <a href="https://t.co/gm00vZdwrO">pic.twitter.com/gm00vZdwrO</a>
&mdash; ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC7Chicago/status/1647460856505020416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In reaction to it all, one young Chicago woman asked, &#8220;Where are the parents at?&#8221;
The better question is, &#8220;Where is the father?&#8221; Since 1980, <a href="https://wirepoints.org/ongoing-teen-violence-puts-parenting-at-center-stage-in-chicago-wirepoints/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 70% of black children have been born to unmarried mothers</a> in Chicago. Meanwhile, 56.7% of Latino children in Chicago were born out of wedlock — a remarkably high number in its own right. Meanwhile, just 12.5% of white children in the Windy City are born to single mothers, and even fewer Asians are born in that situation.
Perhaps it is no surprise then that Asians are the most likely demographic to <a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/10/22/chicago-narrows-racial-gaps-in-5-year-graduation-rate-but-disparities-persist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">do better in school and graduate high school</a>. Whites follow, then Latinos, and black Chicagoans are least likely to graduate high school.
In Chicago in 2021, black Americans accounted for roughly 73% of all arrests, Hispanics made up 19% in that category, white individuals accounted for 8% of total arrests, and Asian/Pacific Islanders comprised just 1% of arrests, according to <a href="https://home.chicagopolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2021-Annual-Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">police data</a>.
Again, those numbers, like high school graduation rates, are inversely proportionate to the rate of out-of-wedlock births per each racial group.
The <a href="https://ifstudies.org/blog/less-poverty-less-prison-more-college-what-two-parents-mean-for-black-and-white-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data also show</a> that children in black households with two parents are more likely to graduate high school, have a better quality of life, and avoid breaking the law.
That is because a mother and father provide the emotional support and stability needed for children to have a solid start in life. Without that foundation, they are starting at a disadvantage. This has been true in every culture and country to ever exist.
In modern America, that fact is no different in rural areas. According <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/19/family-life-is-changing-in-different-ways-across-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to the data,</a> as of 2018, &#8220;Whites accounted for 78.2 percent of the rural population compared to 57.3 percent of urban areas.&#8221;
In <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/19/family-life-is-changing-in-different-ways-across-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">such places</a>, &#8220;Among whites, 33% of births in rural areas are to unmarried women, compared with 20% in urban areas and 26% in the suburbs.&#8221; Children there are more likely to have what the Centers for Disease Control and Protection call Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). Aces include, but are not limited to, violence in the home or community, abuse and neglect, or having a family member attempt or commit suicide.
&#8220;Across children of all ages, more living in rural areas (45% for children birth to 5) experienced at least [one] ACE compared to children in the other two geographic areas [urban, large rural],&#8221; according to one study. It is not a peaceful existence for those innocent little ones — and just like minorities in Chicago, that degeneration spreads the longer it occurs.
“ACE exposure [is] linked to risky health behaviors and chronic health conditions in adulthood,&#8221; according to the CDC, and “may also result in an intergenerational cycle of experiences.”
While the form of tragedies may present in different forms — more likely drug overdoses and domestic abuse rather than riots and smash and grabs  — the trend of dysfunction is comparable to the inner cities.</div>
As Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), who grew up around such a community <a href="https://villagemissions.org/broken-families-in-rural-america/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a>, &#8220;Chaos begets chaos. Instability begets instability. Welcome to family life for the American hillbilly.&#8221;
The same can be said for American city dwellers — for at least the past 50 years.
One should consider that in 1969, Elvis Presley released “In the Ghetto,” portraying a single mother raising a boy in Chicago who turns into a criminal. The absence of a father is heavily felt throughout. At the end of the song, a single mother births a new baby boy and the pattern continues, resulting in more violence. 
Chicago&#8217;s Democratic Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson&#8217;s <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/media/chicago-mayor-elect-brandon-johnson-rebukes-large-corporations-poverty-violence-city" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solution to that problem</a> is a bigger government and one that taxes corporations more in order to increase. Of course, in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson launched the &#8220;war on poverty&#8221; using a similar framework.
In 1970, <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/352149" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just 11% of all households in Chicago</a> were headed by single parents. That number has increased by roughly 200% since that time.
The answer to this disarray is to promote strong fathers and male role models, getting married then having children, and encouraging parents to stay together. That can&#8217;t be done through the government alone — communities, men&#8217;s groups, and religious organizations will have to play a role.
Until that happens, more scenes like this past weekend in Chicago will occur. The children growing up today, like their fathers before them, will not know any better and the cycle will continue.
The issue here is not one of race. Broken families upend every community, and the more of them that exist in a given area, the more likely societal decay will occur. Remember what Vance said, &#8220;Chaos begets chaos.&#8221;
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Chicago police car on fire, May 2020

Chaos Rules In Chicago, The Lack Of Two-Parent Homes Is To Blame

Chaos Rules In Chicago, The Lack Of Two-Parent Homes Is To Blame.

Fathers

JD Vance

After teenagers went on a violent rampage in downtown Chicago Saturday night in which two people were shot, leftist Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson said Sunday that people shouldn’t “demonize” the teenagers.
Over 100 teenagers participated in the violent activity, which included torching cars, engaging in a massive fight, and trying to breach police barricades. Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, were shot; 15 people were arrested.
But Johnson, the city’s mayor-elect, lectured critics of the teenagers, issuing a statement in which he said he did not “condone the destructive activity we saw in the Loop and the lakefront this weekend,” but then implied the teenagers’ behavior was not completely their fault, intoning, “However, it is not constructive to demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.”
“Our city must work together to create spaces for youth to gather safely and responsibly, under adult guidance and supervision, to ensure that every part of our city remains both welcome for both residents and visitors,” he continued, saying it was part of his “comprehensive approach to improve public safety and make Chicago livable for everyone.”
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<a href="https://t.co/cwZb9n1Q9i">pic.twitter.com/cwZb9n1Q9i</a>
&mdash; Brandon Johnson (@Brandon4Chicago) <a href="https://twitter.com/Brandon4Chicago/status/1647737808260583424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In total, 15 people were arrested, including nine adults and six children.
Johnson was slammed for his statement by critics.
“You couldn’t even make it through the first paragraph without excusing the rioters,” one declared.
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You couldn’t even make it through the first paragraph without excusing the rioters
&mdash; End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1647738064595288064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“They will get more of the unrest and looting since they are not being held responsible. It is the society’s fault, so individuals can do as pleased. Shame on the insanely Woke admin,” another added.
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They will get more of the unrest and looting since they are not being held responsible. It is the society’s fault, so individuals can do as pleased. Shame on the insanely Woke admin.
&mdash; SEGA L&#39;éveilleur® (@segalink) <a href="https://twitter.com/segalink/status/1647750607200047111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“Your soft hand position will lead to more crime and more death. You will bankrupt Chicago. Step aside. Citizens deserve to live in a safe city,” another echoed.
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Your soft hand position will lead to more crime and more death.
You will bankrupt Chicago. 
Step aside. Citizens deserve to live in a safe city.
&mdash; Jack Lombardi II (@JackLombardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/JackLombardi/status/1647801872055517185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Johnson, who served as Cook County Commissioner when he ran for mayor against Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, said on his campaign <a href="https://www.brandonforchicago.com/on-the-issues" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> that he would “work with police and first responders to invest in community-based interventions that de-escalate conflict, reduce violence and make our neighborhoods safer.” Vallas promised on his <a href="https://www.paulvallas2023.com/publicsafety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> that he would increase the number of sworn officers and considered public safety a “basic human right.”
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://onelink.to/dwapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://onelink.to/dwapp" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-34857">CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILY WIRE APP</a>
Vallas was endorsed by the Chicago Police Union, while Johnson was supported by the Chicago Teachers Union, which provoked <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/they-can-cancel-school-until-june-and-ill-be-fine-chicago-teachers-union-forces-290000-children-out-of-normal-school" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticism</a> in the wake of government lockdowns for opposing the rollback of virtual instruction.
Ben Zeisloft contributed to this article.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftist-chicago-mayoral-candidate-defeats-moderate-rival-will-succeed-lori-lightfoot">Leftist Chicago Mayoral Candidate Defeats Moderate Rival, Will Succeed Lori Lightfoot</a>

Chicago Mayoral Candidate Brandon Johnson Campaigns In Chicago

Leftist Chicago Mayor-Elect After Teenagers’ Violent Rampage Through City: Don’t ‘Demonize’ Them

Crime

Teenagers

Police showed up in force in response to another rowdy crowd of teenagers who took to the streets of downtown <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago</a> on Saturday night.
Hundreds of young people made their way to Millennium Park — home to Chicago&#8217;s famous <a href="https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/parks-outdoors/millennium-park-campus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cloud Gate &#8220;Bean&#8221; sculpture</a> — smashing car windows and jumping on vehicles, according to local reports and videos posted to social media.
<a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hundreds-of-teenagers-flood-into-downtown-chicago-smashing-car-windows-and-prompting-police-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FOX 32 Chicago reported</a> police helped escort tourists and others to their cars around the park, however, a man was beaten after teenagers jumped on his vehicle&#8217;s windshield. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The same news station said it even decided not to keep its <a href="https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hundreds-of-teenagers-flood-into-downtown-chicago-smashing-car-windows-and-prompting-police-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crew</a> on the scene as shots were fired on the corner of Madison and Michigan Avenue. Police said two teenagers, ages 16 and 17, were shot around 9 p.m.
One Chicago resident who spoke with FOX 32 blamed &#8220;bad parenting&#8221; for the chaotic night. &#8220;Where are their parents at? That&#8217;s my question,&#8221; she said.
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A similar gathering on Friday night at 31st Street Beach ended when a 14-year-old boy was shot in the thigh and taken to a hospital. Police arrested a 17-year-old, who was charged in connection to that shooting, <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-beach-31st-street-shooting-oemc/13131789/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per ABC affiliate WLS</a>.
Chicago police &#8220;continually monitors and adjusts resources as necessary so residents and visitors can safely enjoy the city, including our beaches and lakefront area,&#8221; the department <a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/teen-boy-shot-during-large-gathering-at-31st-street-beach-chicago-police/3119950/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a statement</a> reported by NBC 5 after the Friday night gathering.
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&#8220;Last night, CPD monitored activity happening across the city and officers were in place to quickly respond to active incidents and large gatherings,&#8221; the statement added. &#8220;We will continue to have sufficient resources in place as we work to strengthen safety in every neighborhood.&#8221;
As warmer weather arrives with the coming of spring, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/first-large-group-incident-millennium-park-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS Chicago noted</a> that on Wednesday, around 150 teenagers gathered at the same park for the first &#8220;large group&#8221; incident of the season.
These meet-ups, which reportedly are preceded by invites circulating on social media, also took place last year.
In an effort to crack down on these chaotic gatherings, Chicago <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/unaccompanied-minors-millennium-park-chaos-crowds-chicago/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">implemented rules last spring</a> mandating that young people under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to enter Millennium Park in the evenings after 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Chicago police

Bedlam As Hundreds Of Teenagers Inundate Downtown Chicago

Bedlam In Downtown Chicago As Hundreds Of Teenagers Inundate Streets

Time changes all things. When it comes to cities, migration has been the key driver of how cities rise and fall. 
Take Detroit, for example. Detroit was America’s fourth largest city in the 1940s, with a population of approximately 1.8 million. People flocked to the city to take high-paying jobs on the assembly lines of Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. Then, in the 1950s, the automotive companies began moving out of Detroit and into the suburbs, as they closed old, outdated plants, and opened new plants. The middle class followed, and The Motor City began its decline.
Chicago, on the other hand, has simply decided to commit suicide.
In February, Mayor Lori Lightfoot became the first Chicago Mayor to lose re-election in 40 years. The defeat of Lightfoot drove a run-off election between Paul Vallas, a former schools CEO, and Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner.
Mr. Vallas ran on a <a href="https://www.paulvallas2023.com/education" target="_blank" rel="noopener">platform</a> of reducing crime and supporting police, improving the performance of Chicago’s public schools, and bringing fiscal responsibility to Chicago’s budget.
Mr. Johnson ran on a <a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/who-is-brandon-johnson-what-to-know-about-chicagos-next-mayor/3112347/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">platform</a> of taxing the wealthy and businesses, a jet fuel tax, reducing fares on public transportation, and increasing the transfer tax on the sales of multi-million-dollar homes. He has also previously called for defunding the police and replacing them with mental health counselors to respond to domestic disputes.
The consensus in Chicago was that, given the failure of Ms. Lightfoot to win re-election, Chicagoans had finally had enough of crime and that Mr. Vallas would walk into the mayor’s office in a landslide. After all, Mr. Johnson was a candidate who ran to the Left of the mayor.
Then, on April 4, Mr. Johnson became mayor of Chicago in an election that saw only <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoElection/status/1646267844458414081" target="_blank" rel="noopener">38% of registered Chicago voters</a> cast a ballot. Mr. Johnson’s victory demonstrated the power of unions in Chicago. Mr. Johnson enjoyed the support of both the Chicago Teachers Union and the Service Employees International Union.
<div id="attachment_528151" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-528151" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-528151" src="https://dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-864x576.jpg" alt="Chicagoans Head To The Polls For City's Mayoral Election" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/04/GettyImages-1247563293-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />CHICAGO, IL &#8211; FEBRUARY 28: A man casts his ballot in a City&#8217;s Mayoral Election on February 28, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)</div>
Mr. Johnson should reconsider his stance on taxes. Chicago has already lost several businesses who have moved their headquarters due to high crime and high taxes. This includes Tyson Foods, Boeing, Citadel, and Caterpillar – although Caterpillar was headquartered in a suburb, many employees lived in Chicago and no longer felt safe nor enjoyed the taxes. Walmart has announced that it is closing half of its stores in the Chicago area. An incremental $800 million in new taxes will not draw new business to Chicago.
It isn’t just companies leaving, it’s people. According to the Illinois Business Journal, in 2022, “<a href="https://www.ibjonline.com/2022/12/27/illinois-loses-more-residents-in-2022-than-any-year-on-record/#:~:text=Illinois'%20net%20domestication%20outmigration%20of,their%20headquarters%20out%20of%20Illinois." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Illinois</a> saw nearly the equivalent of the population of Rockford, the fifth-biggest city in Illinois, moving away to other states.” Cook County, Illinois, where Chicago is located, lost 94,344 residents in 2022.  
An Illinois Policy <a href="https://www.illinoispolicy.org/johnson-campaign-up-to-5-6m-from-teachers-unions-after-another-big-donation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Institute</a> survey found that 34% of Chicagoans would leave the city if given the opportunity, citing taxes and affordability as their two concerns behind crime. 39% of those surveyed cited the city’s near-nation leading taxes and the high cost of living as their main reasons for wanting to leave.”
The dirty secret is that the most educated, highest potential residents are the ones who leave. The poor cannot afford to leave, and the ultra-wealthy are not impacted by crime and can hire a bevy of attorneys and tax accountants to minimize their tax exposure. This unfairly leaves the tax burden on those who can least afford it.
If Mayor-elect Johnson’s tax plan is implemented, we will certainly see another mass exodus of Chicagoans. Something the city cannot afford.
Mayor-elect Johnson should reconsider his tax plan. I do not want to see my city commit suicide.
Jim Nelles is a supply chain consultant based in Chicago, IL. He has served as a Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Supply Chain Officer, and a Chief Operations Officer for multiple companies. Jim served his country as a Naval Officer after attending college on an NROTC scholarship. He has a BA from Northwestern University in Economics and French as well as a Masters in Management from the JL Kellogg Graduate School of Business.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison Holds News Conference Regarding Chicago Hosting The 2024 Democratic National Convention

Chicago Is Committing Suicide As Residents Flee And Voter Turnout Plummets

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Democrats have chosen <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago</a> as the location of their 2024 convention.
President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joe Biden</a> called Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker about the decision on Tuesday before departing on a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/northern-ireland-terror-attack-fears-rise-ahead-of-biden-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trip to Northern Ireland</a>, according to multiple reports.
The Midwest city beat out New York and Atlanta, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/us/politics/dnc-convention-cities-2024-biden.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the two other finalists</a>. Houston <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/article/houston-democratic-convention-dnc-will-not-host-17743463.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dropped out</a> of the contest earlier this year.
Pritzker, a billionaire, and other Illinois leaders had offered to cover the cost of the event, estimated to run a tab of $80 million and $100 million, <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/13/pritzker-allies-cover-bills-chicago-dem-convention-00086881?nname=illinois-playbook&amp;nid=00000150-1596-d4ac-a1d4-179e288b0000&amp;nrid=cead9e24-fe98-48e7-9183-a84b90d59d0d&amp;nlid=639163" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per POLITICO</a>.
The convention is expected to be held August 19-22 and attract visitors from around the country.
At the event, delegates will gather to select the party&#8217;s nominee for president and adopt a platform. The Democrats&#8217; last convention in 2020, when Biden was picked as the nominee, was held in Milwaukee, although it was essentially a virtual event because of the COVID pandemic.
Biden said on Monday <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-says-he-plans-to-run-again-but-isnt-ready-to-announce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he plans to run again</a> but was not ready to make an announcement. Others seeking the party’s nomination include self-help author Marianne Williamson, who ran in 2020, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/robert-f-kennedy-jr-files-to-run-for-president-in-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">filed for a campaign last week</a>.
Although the Windy City is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/in-chicago-high-crime-leads-to-a-mayors-downfall/2023/03/02/410cad44-b8fa-11ed-b0df-8ca14de679ad_story.html#:~:text=Chicago's%20recent%20plight%20is%20hard,Lightfoot%20took%20office%2C%20to%202022." target="_blank" rel="noopener">grappling with high crime</a>, the Democratic National Committee gave Chicago high marks for security and other logistical factors such as hotel capacity, financing, and transportation, <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2023/4/11/23676941/chicago-2024-democratic-convention" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Chicago Sun-Times</a>.
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The last time Chicago held the Democrats&#8217; convention was in 1996, which C-SPAN communications director Howard Mortman marked with a clip of Hillary Clinton&#8217;s viral &#8220;Macarena&#8221; moment.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
DNC Announces Chicago to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention &#8230; Last time Dems held their convention in Chicago, this happened: <a href="https://t.co/6ZyFpiPRFV">pic.twitter.com/6ZyFpiPRFV</a>
&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1645802536828547075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Republicans have already chosen Milwaukee as the location for their 2024 convention. That event is <a href="https://www.wisn.com/article/dates-announced-for-republican-national-convention-in-milwaukee-wisconsin/42307459" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scheduled</a> for July 15 through July 18.
Former President Donald Trump is seeking another term, setting up a potential 2020 general election rematch against Biden. Former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson have also entered the 2024 race for the GOP nomination.
Others expected to join the contest include former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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