Following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s public comments, the United States Department of Justice is investigating Chicago’s hiring practices for potential racial discrimination. The investigation focuses on potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race. Johnson’s controversial remarks at a church service demonstrated his preference for hiring Black employees, claiming, “When you hire our people, we always look out for everyone else.”
DOJ Launches Civil Rights Investigation Into Chicago’s Hiring Practices
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Chicago’s hiring practices, examining whether Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has engaged in race-based discrimination. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, heading the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, authorized the probe following Johnson’s public remarks about preferentially hiring Black staff members. The investigation centers on potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which explicitly prohibits employment discrimination based on race.
In a letter to Mayor Johnson, Dhillon stated the investigation would determine “whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination.” Federal officials have requested a meeting with the mayor’s office to discuss the investigation and review relevant documents. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division emphasized, “When the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a state or local government employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in violation of Title VII, it is the Attorney General’s responsibility to take appropriate action to eliminate the violation.”
UH-OH 🚨
DOJ has opened a civil rights investigation into the hiring practices of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D)
Points out virtually everyone working for him is black
Anyone who applied but were denied bc of skin color can now sue him for discrimination
This is a crime pic.twitter.com/2Z9ohx0AQK
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) May 20, 2025
Mayor’s Controversial Church Comments Triggered Federal Scrutiny
The investigation stems from remarks Mayor Johnson made during a speech at Woodlawn’s Apostolic Church of God, where he highlighted Black leaders in senior roles within his administration. During his address, Johnson addressed criticism about his focus on hiring Black people by defending his approach. The DOJ’s letter specifically questions whether similar hiring practices based on race extend beyond top positions to lower-level positions throughout city government.
“There are some detractors that will try and push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people.’ No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet.” – Mayor Brandon Johnson
Johnson’s statement has raised concerns among city officials, including 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez, who commented, “Hearing what he said and seeing this investigation taking place, unfolding today, I think validates the concerns that many people have that this isn’t a mayor for everyone.” Lopez further suggested that the situation could prove politically advantageous for President Donald Trump, connecting the federal probe to broader political dynamics.
Mayor Brandon Johnson just admitted he is putting blacks ahead of other races in city contracts like airport construction
This is illegal, @DOJ pic.twitter.com/33PchD80QS
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 18, 2025
Johnson Administration Defends Diversity Record
The mayor’s office responded defensively to the federal investigation, highlighting the diversity of Johnson’s administration. A spokesperson stated that the Johnson administration is “the most diverse in Chicago’s history,” with a staff composition of 34% Black, 30% white, 23% Hispanic, 7% Asian, and 5% of two or more ethnicities. The statement also included a jab at the federal government, noting, “Unfortunately, the current federal administration does not reflect either [diversity or Chicago’s values].”
Legal experts have weighed in on the investigation, with Carolyn Shapiro from the Chicago-Kent College of Law suggesting the DOJ’s assumption of discrimination represents a significant interpretive leap. Shapiro noted that certain positions may fall outside Title VII’s purview: “They would not be employees under Title VII, so even if it were true that he was going out of his way to hire people of a particular race, that would not violate the law.” The DOJ has stated it has not yet drawn conclusions and plans to collect and review more information from the city.
Broader Pattern of Federal Scrutiny
This investigation is part of a larger series of federal civil rights probes initiated by the Trump administration against state and local governments. The Justice Department has also sued Illinois over its Right to Privacy in the Workplace law and has pending lawsuits against Chicago and Illinois over sanctuary policies. Mayor Johnson has previously defended these sanctuary policies while emphasizing his administration’s diversity during his speeches.
The DOJ’s request for cooperation from Mayor Johnson signals a potentially lengthy investigative process as federal officials seek to determine whether systematic discrimination exists in Chicago’s hiring practices. The outcome could have significant implications for how municipal governments approach diversity initiatives while remaining in compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws that prohibit race-based employment decisions at all levels of government.