Jen Johnson Takes Leave for Health and Family
Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Education, Youth, and Human Services, Jennifer “Jen” Johnson, has announced that she will be stepping away from her role of Chicago Public Schools temporarily to focus on her health and family. This decision comes at a time when tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson‘s administration and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have intensified. Johnson made the announcement last week but did not specify how long her leave would last. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office declined to comment on the matter, citing the need to respect personnel issues.
In her statement, Johnson emphasized that her leave should not be seen as politically motivated. She stressed that her decision was personal and solely based on her health and family priorities. Johnson’s role has been a critical part of Mayor Johnson’s administration since her appointment in May 2023, where she focused on expanding youth employment opportunities and supporting migrant students within the city’s schools.
Conflict Between Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Education and Chicago Public Schools Leadership
Jen Johnson, formerly the chief of staff at the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and a high school history teacher, took on the position with high hopes for collaboration. In a June 2023 interview, Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Education expressed optimism that the relationship between the CTU and CPS, particularly under the leadership of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, would be constructive. She envisioned contract negotiations that would be less contentious and more focused on shared objectives. However, over recent months, that optimism has been overshadowed by growing discord between CPS leadership and the mayor’s office.
Tensions have risen, particularly surrounding financial challenges, including pension contributions for non-teaching staff and expenses tied to new contracts for both teachers and principals. CTU has publicly criticized Martinez, who was appointed during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s tenure, for his handling of these issues. Despite efforts from Mayor Johnson’s administration to foster a collaborative relationship, Jen Johnson has indicated that a strong partnership never fully developed.
School Board Resignations Amid Financial Pressures
The strained relationship between Chicago Public Schools and the mayor’s office has led to significant upheaval. Last month, Mayor Johnson reportedly asked Martinez to resign from his role, though Martinez refused. Under city law, only the school board holds the authority to remove the CPS CEO from his position. Adding to the instability, all seven members of the school board, appointed by Mayor Johnson, resigned earlier this month due to the ongoing tensions. The mayor quickly moved to appoint six of the seven new members the following week.
Next month, Chicago will hold its first-ever school board elections, where 10 members will be elected by the city’s voters, while the mayor will continue to appoint the remaining 11 members. The outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the future of CPS leadership and its relationship with the mayor’s office. As Jen Johnson steps away to focus on her personal well-being, the city’s educational leadership remains at a critical juncture, navigating financial challenges and leadership changes.
