Brandon Johnson.

Brandon Johnson, the chief executive of Chicago, discusses his preparations for hosting the 2024 Democratic National Convention. He acknowledges the city's history of protests and expects a mix of celebration and protest during the convention. Johnson emphasizes the importance of peaceful protests and expresses confidence in hosting a successful event. He also shares his vision for progressive governance, including raising wages for tipped workers and working towards a ceasefire in Gaza. Johnson reflects on Chicago's history of resistance and racism, highlighting the need for the Democratic Party to improve and build coalitions. The article also features an interview with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who discusses her commitment to investing in the lives of working people. She aims to close the wealth gap, increase wages for tipped workers, provide paid time off, and invest in young people, policing, and housing. Lightfoot criticizes previous administrations for their policies that negatively impacted businesses and the Black community. She addresses Republican criticisms of cities and emphasizes the importance of investing in people to create safer communities. Lightfoot also condemns Texas Governor Greg Abbott for sending migrants to Chicago and New York, calling it a shameful act. She emphasizes her moral responsibility as a leader and the need to align resources with compassion. [Extracted from the article]