The Chicago Journal

Stephen Scoggins: The Creator of ‘Unstoppable Systems’ Empowering Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Win in their Business

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on March 6, 2023

personalized strategy sessions, and much more.

Being Unstoppable

Unstoppable Online is a proven plan to win in personal and professional life, it brings the power, strategies, and high value application series directly to your fingertips in a high touch community that delivers results. It takes the confusion out of creating a meaningful life by providing a proven online solution that will guide you step by step towards your goals. The platform allows you to choose your path with the Unstoppable Life development track or build a massive business with Unstoppable Startup. Each program will teach you in detail with bite-size actionable steps you can take daily to build momentum, discover your fullest potential, and make an impact along the way.

7 Levels of Life Mastery

Scoggins has identified 7 Levels of Life Mastery and 5 Levels of Business Mastery that require consistent attention in order to truly become unstoppable and gain reliable results. In order to excel in your personal and professional development through each stage, you must be intentional and be taught the key strategies, principles, and techniques that help you create the most leverage to propel yourself further and faster than ever before.

Unstoppable Online offers four different membership levels: Pro, Preferred, Premier, and Elite. Each level comes with a unique set of features and benefits, including access to the video course library, resource vault, discounted professional service providers, and more. The higher-level memberships also offer more personalized guidance and mentorship, with the Elite level offering a monthly one-on-one training call with Stephen himself.

Finding Your Superpower 

In addition to the comprehensive training and resources available through Unstoppable Online, Scoggins also emphasizes the importance of finding your true ‘super power’ in order to achieve success. He believes that each of us has a unique set of strengths, values, and gifts that we can leverage to achieve our goals and make an impact in the world. The platform offers a guided strength, values, and gifts assessment to help users uncover their true super power.

Ultimately, Scoggins’ goal with Unstoppable Online is to help entrepreneurs find their freedom. He believes that we all want the freedom to choose our own path and to prosper, but more than anything, we all want the freedom to live a deeply passionate and meaningful life. Unstoppable Online provides the tools, resources, and guidance to help entrepreneurs capitalize on the opportunities that lay before them and create the extraordinary life they desire.

In conclusion, Stephen Scoggins’ Unstoppable Online is a powerful platform that empowers entrepreneurs to win in business through a deeply personalized approach to personal and professional advancement. With a proven plan, clear paths to winning, and access to a community of like-minded individuals, Unstoppable Online is a valuable resource for anyone looking to achieve success in their personal and professional life. If you’re looking to take control of your life and achieve your goals, Unstoppable Online is the perfect platform to help you get there.

  • Image Credits:
  • Featured Image, Stephen Scoggins

Mary Daly thinks more hikes would be beneficial

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on March 6, 2023

Mary Daly – This year has been overshadowed by a succession of upheavals, but the impacts of inflation may still be felt today.

While it has fallen slightly, the Federal Reserve is on track to raise interest rates to address the underlying concern.

The necessity of another rate increase was also emphasized by Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Fed.

The news

On Saturday, Mary Daly proposed that the Federal Reserve not only raise but also maintain interest rates at their present levels.

She said that doing so would allow them to deal with inflation-related pricing increases.

“There is more work to do,” said Daly at Princeton University.

“In order to put this episode of high inflation behind us, further policy tightening, maintained for a longer time, will likely be necessary.”

“Restoring price stability is our mandate, and it is what the American people expect. So, the FOMIC remains resolute in achieving this goal.”

Mary Daly also admitted that excessive inflation and the Fed’s aggressive rate rises to reduce prices scared both Main Street and Wall Street.

“The responses range from fearing these actions will tip the economy into a recession to fearing they won’t be enough to get the job done.”

The revelation of new economic data caused significant market volatility, as uncertainty motivates investors to seek immediate solutions.

Nonetheless, Daly believes that reaching the stated aim would take time and “a broader view.”

But still, Mary Daly noted that, given the volume and duration of high inflation readings, the Fed’s current tightening strategy was (and continues to be) reasonable.

Daly also puts into doubt the disinflationary trend, citing high inflation in the products, housing, and associated sectors, as well as solid economic indices.

Mary Daly is a member of the Federal Open Market Committee and attends policy meetings, although she does not vote on Fed policy at the moment.

Federal Reserve warnings

The Federal Reserve expressed similar worries a week before Mary Daly’s address.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari stated last Wednesday that he is open to a larger interest rate rise during the Fed’s March policy meeting.

“Whether it’s 25 or 50 basis points,” said Kashkari.

Similarly, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic suggested that at the next meeting, the Fed’s policy rate should be raised by half a percentage point.

The next day, Fed Governor Christopher suggested that interest rates might climb faster than expected.

He stressed a series of economic data that were stronger than expected.

Read also: Nishad Singh enters guilty plea with apologies

Interest rate progress

The Federal Reserve has done a lot in the last year to keep inflation under control.

It increased its goal range from close to zero to 4.5% to 4.75%.

After a half-point drop in December, they lowered increases to a quarter-point cut in February.

In 2022, inflation hit a four-decade high, although it began to recede in the last quarter.

Yet, January inflation figures revealed that the rate of price rises was progressively increasing once more.

Gold price

Gold prices have stalled as a result of the fresh concerns.

Prices fell from a two-and-a-half-week high on Monday as traders looked for indications about future rate rises from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s decision.

Spot gold reached a high of $1,858.19 per ounce on February 15, but it is presently down 0.3% at $1,849.33 per ounce.

Similarly, gold futures in the United States climbed little to $1,855.10.

Also, the dollar index rose 0.1%, making greenback-priced bullion more costly for foreign purchasers.

Awaiting testimony

Many people are anticipating Powell’s congressional testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the February employment data, which is expected Friday.

“Currently, gold is in a wait-and-see mode,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

“There’s unlikely to be a change of script from Powell, reiterating the need for further rate hikes to bring inflation under control.”

While gold is commonly used as an inflation hedge, increasing interest rates may reduce demand for the zero-yielding metal.

Mary Daly speculated on the likelihood of interest rates rising (and staying there) if Saturday’s report is hotter than predicted.

According to Reuters technical expert Wang Tao, current gold prices may increase further into the $1,867 to $1,876 per ounce range if resistance at $1,853 is broken.

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Nishad Singh enters guilty plea with apologies

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on March 6, 2023

Nishad Singh – Despite the fact that the cryptocurrency exchange site FTX has been down for several months, the crackdown on its leadership continues.

Former FTX executive Nishad Singh just pled guilty.

He is now supporting the FBI in its probe into the alleged billion-dollar swindle at the formerly unmovable exchange.

The news

Nishad Singh, the platform’s former director of engineering, pled guilty to six charges of conspiracy, including:

  • Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
  • Conspiracy to commit money laundering
  • Conspiracy to violate federal campaign finances laws

Singh is Sam Bankman-third Fried’s top executive and close confidante to submit a guilty plea.

He joins Gary Wang, the exchange’s co-founder, and Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of the exchange’s sister hedge fund, Alameda Research.

Wang and Ellison made guilty pleas in 2022 and are presently working together against SBF.

“Today’s guilty plea underscores once again that the crimes at FTX were vast in scope and consequence,” said Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

“They rocked our financial markets with a multibillion-dollar fraud. And they corrupted our politics with tens of millions of dollars in illegal straw campaign contributions.”

“The crimes demand swift and certain justice, and that is exactly what we are seeking in the Southern District of New York.”

Penalties

Once the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission filed civil charges against him, Nishad Singh agreed to settle.

As part of the SEC deal, Singh agreed to be restricted from serving as an officer or director.

In order for the deal to be finalized, a judge must sign off on it and decide how much penalties and disgorgement Nishad Singh must pay in addition to the ban time.

Despite this, Singh did not contest his liability, according to the CFTC.

Among the remedies sought by the government are restitution, disgorgement, and permanent trade restrictions.

Apologies

Nishad Singh’s attorneys, Andrew Goldstein and Russell Capon, delivered an apologetic statement on Tuesday.

“Nishad is deeply sorry for his role in this and has accepted responsibility for his actions.”

“He wants to do everything he can to make things right for victims, including by assisting the government to the best of his ability in this case.”

Read also: Meta will charge users for its subscription service

The head of the company

Although Nishad Singh, Gary Wang, and Caroline Ellison face heavy punishment, the leader of their shattered empire awaits him.

According to prosecutors and the worldwide community, Sam Bankman-Fried is facing 12 criminal accusations for his role in one of the greatest financial robberies in history.

SBF pleaded not guilty to several of the claims in the face of overwhelming proof.

He will appear in court at some time in the future, with a date for some of the claims still to be decided.

Sam Bankman-Fried has also been released on a $250,000 bail.

The allegations

Authorities allege that, among others, Sam Bankman-Fried, Nishad Singh, Gary Wang, and Caroline Ellison stole customer accounts at FTX.

They reportedly utilized the funds for the following purposes:

  • Strengthen Alameda Research’s business operations
  • Self Enrichment
  • Create venture investments
  • Buy the influence of US politicians

According to authorities, SBF raised around $1.8 billion from investors.

Political influence

This Monday, an indictment was unsealed against him, indicating that prosecutors alleged more than 300 political donations were made.

The contributions were made in an apparent attempt to influence bitcoin legislation and regulation.

Furthermore, they were carried out under the identities of two FTX employees identified in the charges as CC-1 and CC-2.

According to those acquainted with the situation and federal and state election records, CC-1 is Nishad Singh and CC-2 is Ryan Salame.

Prosecutors believe Singh was chosen to represent left-wing donations.

According to the indictment, SBF planned to give at least $1 million to a super PAC supporting a candidate for a US House seat who seemed to be pro-LGBTQIIA+ issues.

According to reports, an SBF political strategist persuaded Nishad Singh to bear the blame for the contribution, telling him:

“In general, you being the center left face of our spending will mean you giving to a lot of woke *** for transactional purposes.”

Prosecutors stated that Nishad Singh expressed concern, but admitted that no one at the business trusted someone who was “bi/gay” and capable of making the payment.

Also, before the 2022 midterm elections, an FTX employee was accused with transferring $107,000 from SBF’s account to the New York Democratic Committee.

According to the indictment, they were told to change it to imply it came from CC-1.

According to records, Nishad Singh gave $107,000 to the committee on October 28.

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Migrants delivered to Kamala Harris on Christmas

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on March 6, 2023

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Migrants: Busloads of immigrants were transported to and dropped off in front of Vice President Kamala Harris’ home in Washington, DC, on Christmas Eve.

When the bus departed, the refugees were left outside in the 18 degree weather.

The event is the most recent in a line of heated talks between state authorities and the Biden administration concerning American immigration law.

The news

Three buses carrying refugees arrived at Kamala Harris’ home at the Naval Observatory on Saturday night.

Despite their lack of preparation for the extreme weather, the neighborhood grassroots organization Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network welcomed the refugees.

The conflict

The Biden administration sought to overturn the pandemic era policy earlier this year, which authorized the US to refuse entry to immigrants.

Then, state governors began transporting immigrants to Washington, DC.

In order to get refugees and immigrants to Washington, DC, the governors of Texas and Arizona started busing them there.

Both the local and federal governments were absent when they arrived at the location in August.

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, gave an explanation of why he dispatched the buses, saying that the Biden administration wanted to overturn the Title 42 ruling that allowed the US to refuse entrance to migrants.

In just one month, 6,100 migrants, according to Abbott’s government, were transported to Washington, DC, and a second bus later arrived in New York City.

“In addition to Washington, DC, New York is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city,” Abbott said.

“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”

Greg Abbott claimed that his state knowingly transfers migrants to sanctuary areas, where it is illegal to remove them forcibly.

Read also: Donald Trump slumps in voter standing based on recent poll

Criticism

Amy Fischer, a member of the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, criticized Abbott’s conduct in an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered on Sunday.

According to Fischer, the Texas governor’s actions “were rooted in racism and xenophobia.”

“At the end of the day, everybody who arrived here last night was able to get free transportation, on a charter bus, that got them closer to their final destination,” she said.

Chris Magnus, a member of the US Customs & Border Protection Commission, criticized Abbott’s plan to relocate migrants in April for lacking sufficient engagement with the federal government and the nearby border towns.

The border

Two busloads of migrants arrived at Kamala Harris’ home in September.

After Harris stated in an interview that the border was secure, the buses arrived.

“The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, particularly over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed,” she said.

More than 8,700 people have been transported from the Texas border to Washington, DC, since December 22.

An additional 6,520 were sent to New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, according to Greg Abbott’s office.

Read also: Sherrod Brown looking to have cryptocurrency banned in the US

Abbott’s letter

The following letter was sent by the governor of Texas to President Joe Biden on December 20:

“Dear President Biden: With cold temperatures gripping Texas, your inaction to secure the southern border is putting the lives of migrants at risk, particularly in the City of El Paso.”

“With thousands of men, women, and children illegally crossing into Texas every day, and with the expectation that those numbers will only increase if Title 42 expulsion end, the state is overburdened as we respond to this disaster caused by you and your administration.”

“Your policies will leave many people in the bitter, dangerous cold as a polar vortex moves into Texas.”

“This terrible crisis for border communities in Texas is a catastrophe of your own making.”

“These communities and the state are ill-equipped to do the job assigned to the federal government – house the thousands of migrants flooding into the country every day.”

“With perilous temperatures moving into the area, many of these migrants are at risk of freezing to death on city streets.”

“Texas has borne a lopsided burden caused by your open border policies. The need to address this crisis is not the job of border states like Texas.”

“Instead, the US Constitution dictates that it is your job, Mr. President, to defend the borders of our country, regulate our nation’s immigration, and manage those who seek refuge here.”

“While you must step up and perform your constitutional duties, I will continue my work with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Military Department, and all other available state assets to protect Texas from the torrent of migrants and cartel activity streaming into our state.”

“You and your administration must stop the lie that the border is secure and, instead, immediately deploy federal assets to address the dire problems you have caused.”

“You must execute the duties that the US Constitution mandates you perform and secure the southern border before more innocent lives are lost.”

References:

Busloads of migrants dropped off at Kamala Harris’s home on Christmas Eve

GOP governors sent buses of migrants to DC and NYC – with no plan for what’s next

Sherrod Brown looking to have cryptocurrency banned in the US

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on March 6, 2023

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Sherrod Brown: US senator Sherrod Brown recently recommended that US federal authorities take a ban on cryptocurrencies into consideration.

He specifically mentioned the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).

The news

While appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Brown proposed the ban but admitted that it would be “extremely tricky” to put it into effect.

According to the US senator, the cryptocurrency business may expand globally.

He mentioned several American regulators and said:

“We want them to do what they need to do at the same time – maybe banning it.”

“Although banning it is very difficult because it will go offshore and who knows how that will work.”

To bolster his arguments, Sherrod Brown cited a variety of instances, such as “the threat to national security from Korean cyber criminals to drug trafficking and human trafficking and financing of terrorism and all things that can come out of crypto.” 

The demise of FTX provides yet another instructive illustration.

The FTX collapse

The cryptocurrency exchange FTX filed for bankruptcy at the start of November after failing.

Before assessing and selling its assets, the corporation indicated that it will seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Alameda Research, a corporation with a related business, also filed for bankruptcy.

A few companies, however, are left from the list, including:

  • Ledger X LLC
  • FTX Digital Markets Ltd.
  • FTX Australia Pty Ltd.
  • FTX Express Pay Ltd.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the company’s founder and CEO, announced his departure in a press release.

Taking over, John J. Ray III said:

“The FTX Group has valuable assets that can only be effectively administered in an organized, joint process.”

Read also: Solar power found to have two benefits for users

What happened

Sam Bankman-Fried was formerly seen as a celebrity in crypto, but he quickly lost that reputation.

As part of its equity exit from the company, Binance started selling its ownership of FTT, the native exchange token for FTX, last year.

Investors began withdrawing funds from the FTX as the token’s value fell, which prompted the platform to halt withdrawals and proclaim a panic.

Brown’s sentiments

Sherrod Brown requested this month that various government agencies work together to find a solution to the problem of prohibiting cryptocurrencies.

“Single regulatory agencies currently generally do not have a comprehensive view of crypto asset entities’ activities,” he declared in a statement.

Brown, an Ohioan Democrat who has served in the US Congress since 2007, is not the first high-ranking official to advocate for additional crypto rules.

Last month, Senator Elizabeth Warren proposed a new plan to regulate cryptocurrency.

The Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act is the name of the proposed legislation.

It makes an effort to demand that providers of digital assets deliver audited financial data.

Additionally, the law proposes to establish capital criteria similar to those employed by banks and other traditional financial institutions.

In addition, the plan would give the SEC more authority over the asset class.

Read also: Maxine Waters firm on having Sam Bankman-Fried attend hearing

Offshore crypto movement

The crypto business is already moving operations outside the US due to the US government’s uncertain regulatory future, despite what the US Senator claimed.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong addressed the issue in a tweet from November.

“FTX.com was an offshore exchange not regulated by the SEC.”

“The problem is that the SEC failed to create regulatory clarity here in the US,” he continued.

“So many American investors (and 95% of trading activity) went offshore.”

Armstrong went on to describe the idea of penalties against US companies as absurd.

Brian Armstrong reiterated his appeal for US lawmakers to take the initiative and drive the movement toward crypto legislation following the collapse of FTX.

His website’s strategies were contrasted with those of the “offshore exchange” with headquarters in the Bahamas, he claimed, adding that Coinbase has been a staunch advocate of crypto regulation.

References:

Banking committee chair: US regulators should ‘maybe’ ban crypto

FTX files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, SBF steps down as CEO

FTX crisis an ‘opportunity’ for US to clarify crypto regulations: Coinbase CEO

Dan Snyder set to be outed after demands anger other owners

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on March 6, 2023

Dan Snyder – It’s not uncommon for a team to be sold for a large sum of money in sports, but no owner has had as much of an influence as Dan Snyder.

The issue has been tumultuous during his time as owner of the Washington Commanders (previously Washington Redskins).

The problems, along with Snyder’s current demands for the team’s sale, have fueled speculation that Snyder should be voted out as owner once again.

The news

According to the Washington Post, Dan Snyder and his counsel are seeking guarantees from the NFL and fellow team owners that he would face no legal consequences if he sells the business.

Snyder’s demands appear to have enraged other owners, who have resumed discussions about voting to remove him as owner of the Washington Commanders.

They allegedly referred to his conduct as “absurd,” given that the franchise is still under investigation.

A string of controversies

The US House Oversight and Reform Committee issued a 79-page report in December saying that the league and the Commanders concealed decades of sexual misbehavior.

Snyder was accused of creating a “toxic” work environment and a “culture of terror.”.

The committee also found the organization liable for the following:

  • Bullying
  • Sexual harassment
  • Other toxic conduct

Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) issued the following statement:

“Today’s report reflects the damning findings of the Committee’s yearlong investigation and shows how one of the most powerful organizations in America, the NFL, mishandled pervasive sexual harassment and misconduct at the Washington Commanders.”

Response

Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders’ legal counsel, John Brownlee and Stuart Nash, issued the following statement:

“Those Congressional investigators demonstrate, almost immediately, that they were not interested in the truth, and were only interested in chasing headlines by pursuing one side of the story.”

“Today’s report is the predictable culmination of that one-sided approach.”

“There are no new revelations here,” the statement continued.

“The Committee persists in criticizing Mr. Snyder for declining to voluntarily appear at the Committee’s hearing last spring, notwithstanding Mr. Snyder’s agreement to sit, at a date chosen by the Committee, for an unprecedented 11 hours of questioning under oath.”

“The only two members of Congress who witnessed any part of that deposition, one Democrat and one Republican, both made public statements in the wake of the deposition characterizing Mr. Snyder’s answers as truthful, cooperative, and candid.”

“As is typical of the Committee, they have refused, despite our repeated requests to release the full transcript of Mr. Snyder’s deposition.”

“The Committee suggests that Mr. Snyder prevented witnesses from coming forward yet does not identify a single witness who did not come forward or who suffered a single adverse consequence for having done so.”

Read also: Super Bowl sees two Black QB make history

Snyder bites back

ESPN reports that Dan Snyder hired detectives to investigate NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other club owners.

The operation was apparently meant to gather data that may be used in the future.

Moreover, Snyder allegedly remarked, “They can’t **** with me,” during a private chat.

Dan Snyder slammed ESPN in a long email to NFL owners following the report.

“It is particularly shameful for ESPN to diminish the very real accomplishments of our President Jason Wright, who ESPN alleges was placed at the Commanders by the League and has no power to make real change,” Snyder wrote.

“I know you know this to be false. Unfortunately, ESPN ignored our efforts to correct the many falsehoods in their article before its publication.”

“There is one allegation in the ESPN article that I feel it is important to address immediately,” he continued.

“The article cited unnamed sources who said ‘They’ve been told that Snyder instructed his law firms to hire private investigators to look into other owners and Commissioner Goodell.'”

“That is patently false and intended to erode the trust and goodwill between owners that I take seriously.”

“I have never hired any private investigator to look into any owner or the Commissioner. I have never instructed or authorized my lawyers to hire any private investigator on my behalf for any such purpose. And I never would.”

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is now attempting to mediate between Dan Snyder and other NFL club owners.

He is attempting to negotiate a deal that will allow Dan Snyder to sell the Washington Commanders while leaving the NFL with no bad blood.

Bids

Dan Snyder is already getting private offer bids for the Washington Commanders.

According to the New York Post, one plan is for $5.5 billion.

Dan Snyder, on the other hand, wants at least $6 billion.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, on the other hand, was apparently interested in obtaining the Commanders but was not permitted to participate in the auction.

Snyder is said to be angry with Bezos, who owns the Washington Post and has published pieces in addition to the sexual harassment allegations.

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Lori Lightfoot fails to advance mayoral reelection

Leah Cooper Leah Cooper on March 6, 2023

Lori Lightfoot – The city of Chicago has seen substantial transformations as its political dynamics have shifted.

Lori Lightfoot, the city’s mayor, did not place in the top two in the April runoff.

The development is the first time in over 40 years that a full-term incumbent Chicago mayor has lost reelection.

The news

Lori Lightfoot did not make the top two for the runoff on Tuesday, indicating how the political situation has evolved.

In recent years, Chicago has become the third large city to hold a mayoral election that puts public opinion to the test, notably with crime and policing.

Lori Lightfoot placed third in a nine-person municipal election field, with support from around one in every six Chicago voters.

She is the first Chicago mayor to lose reelection in 40 years.

Lightfoot’s term

Lori Lightfoot battled with police and teachers’ unions during her tenure.

At the same time, she had a chilly relationship with city councilors and Illinois’ Democratic governor, severing ties with a number of powerful friends.

Violence has escalated under Lori Lightfoot’s leadership, making voters nervous.

Chicago’s public transit system was likewise plagued by delays and service deficiencies.

While she was praised for her handling of the Coronavirus outbreak, Chicago’s economic recovery left much to be desired.

Violence in the Second City

While crime in Chicago increased in 2020 and 2021, Lightfoot’s performance highlighted her focus on public safety.

Shootings and homicides have fallen, according to the Chicago Police Department’s 2022 year-end report.

Nevertheless, additional crimes began to become an issue, such as:

  • Burglaries
  • Car-jacking
  • Robberies

Changes

The mayoral election has focused on crime and public safety, demonstrating that voter opinions have shifted.

Lori Lightfoot campaigned as a police reformer four years ago, promising to alter how cops are supervised and penalized.

In 2019, she came in first place in a crowded mayoral race, garnering 17.5% of the vote.

“We can and will remake Chicago,” Lightfoot vowed.

Despite the mayor’s first-round victory in 2019, it would subsequently play a factor in the mayor’s future troubles.

Lori Lightfoot was elected to a position considered a “political lightning rod” because she lacked a steady support base.

Throughout the campaigns, her toughness was a key selling factor, but it lost her supporters.

Read also: East Palestine is GOP’s next investigation

Clashes

Lori Lightfoot disagreed with teacher and police unions prior to (and during) the pandemic, which cost her the election in 2023 because the groups favored competitors.

A dispute with the Chicago Teachers Union in 2019 over compensation and class size resulted in an 11-day walkout as she attempted to cut expenditures.

They fought again in 2022, when Lightfoot attempted to get instructors to return to the classrooms in the face of mounting Covid cases.

The union backed Brandon Johnson, who was previously unknown outside of the Chicago County commission area, in the fall.

“Chicago is ready to break with the politics of the past that ignore the needs of our students, their families, and school communities,” said Stacy Davis Gates, the union president.

Lori Lightfoot also alienated police last year during a spat over overtime pay in a department struggling to attract and retain officers.

Lightfoot contended the cops had more than ample vacation time.

The fight was one of the worst in the administration’s years-long feud with the police as she fought to cut on overtime spending.

Paul Vallas was sponsored by the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police.

Vallas has previously served as a school superintendent in the following areas:

  • Chicago
  • Philadelphia
  • New Orleans
  • Bridgeport
  • Connecticut

He also aired a pro-police ad, referencing cops in his family.

Conservative voters were drawn in by Vallas’ tough-on-crime campaign.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown announced his departure this month on Wednesday, giving the next mayor the opportunity to bring in fresh leadership to the department.

A focus on crime

The political winds in Chicago are similar to those in New York, where former police captain Mayor Eric Adams was elected in 2021.

Last year, former Rep. Karen Bass defeated Richard Caruso, a millionaire developer who spent millions on a law-and-order campaign.

Bass won by proposing more police officers and declaring a state of emergency to handle the homelessness epidemic.

Although their comparable messages, Vallas and Adams vary in that Vallas is White and Adams is Black.

Vallas and Johnson gained more support from Chicago’s predominately White north side.

Lori Lightfoot, on the other hand, enjoyed backing from Black communities in the south and west.

The two outcomes highlight the significance of the runoff, which will be a struggle to gain the support of Black voters.

Johnson showed hints of uniting liberals who backed other names in the nine-person field, naming each contender individually.

“If you voted for one of those other candidates, I want you to know that I’m running to be the mayor of you, too,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vallas tweeted that he is running to be a mayor for all of Chicago because “public safety is a human right and people in every neighborhood deserve to feel safe.”

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