The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a formal investigation into the City of Chicago to examine whether its hiring practices violate federal civil rights laws by favoring individuals based on race. The inquiry, led by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, will assess whether the city is engaged in a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination, potentially in breach of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon informed Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of the investigation in a letter sent Monday, citing public statements that suggest hiring decisions within his administration may have been influenced by racial considerations.
“Our inquiry is based on information indicating that appointments may have been made solely on the basis of race,” Dhillon wrote. She referenced comments made by Mayor Johnson during a recent appearance at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, where he responded to criticisms regarding the racial composition of his administration.
During the event, Mayor Johnson defended his approach to staffing, stating, “When you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet.” He went on to highlight several senior positions held by Black officials, including the deputy mayor for business and economic neighborhood development, the deputy mayor for infrastructure, the budget director, and the commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development. He also noted that both the city’s chief operations officer and a senior advisor are Black men.
Dhillon’s letter expressed concern that these remarks suggest race may have been a determining factor in the selection process for top-level roles. “If such decisions are being made at the highest levels, it raises questions about hiring practices for other positions across city government,” she wrote.
The Justice Department emphasized that the investigation remains in its early stages and that no conclusions have been drawn. Dhillon stated that the department welcomes Mayor Johnson’s cooperation as the inquiry proceeds.
The mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
This is not the first time Mayor Johnson’s rhetoric on race has drawn scrutiny. In a past news conference following former President Donald Trump’s re-election, Johnson asserted that Trump’s policies posed threats not only to immigrant communities but also to Black residents in Chicago. “His threats are not just toward new arrivals and undocumented families,” Johnson said. “His threats are also against Black families. We’re going to protect Black folks, Brown folks, Asian folks. The City of Chicago will be better, stronger, and safer despite who’s in the White House.”
The Department of Justice’s investigation adds to an ongoing national dialogue over race-conscious policies in public institutions and hiring practices, as similar federal reviews have recently been initiated at academic institutions over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
