Poll: Chicago Mayor Johnson's approval rating among lowest ever

The Lincoln Poll shows Johnson's approval rating is just 28%, while 50% of Chicago voters disapprove of his actions.

By Andrew Hensel | The Center Square

Published: November 15, 2023 11:00pm

(The Center Square) -

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is just six months into his term, but according to a new poll, residents are unhappy with his performance.

Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in an April runoff election for the Chicago mayor's office. Since then, Johnson has dealt with migrant issues, crime, and budgetary problems.

"We are only six months into his administration, and his inactions on key issues have been noted by the public," Dylan Sharkey of the Illinois Policy Institute said. "A majority of Chicagoans disapprove of his handling on crime and public safety, homelessness and housing, on the management of the migrant crisis, infrastructure, public transit and education are all major issues that are important to voters."

The Lincoln Poll shows Johnson's approval rating is just 28%, while 50% of Chicago voters disapprove of his actions.

Sharkey told The Center Square that Johnson currently has one of the lowest approval ratings he has seen.

"Only three times since 1979 has a Chicago mayor's approval rating dipped under 30%," Sharkey said. "It happened to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2016 following the Laquan McDonald shooting, and it happened earlier this year to former Mayor Lori Lightfoot shortly before she failed to make the mayoral runoff."

Johnson has pushed a narrative of being a mayor for the young people of Chicago, but those who took part in the poll show they do not support him either.

"Only 30% of Black voters in the poll approve of the job he is doing, and that is the highest percentage of any race," Sharkey said. "Only 32% of the voters polled ages 18 to 29 approve of his job."

Johnson has also had issues regarding the city's budget, as the budget will have to make up for a $538 million hole.

Johnson has promised not to raise taxes while in office and says he will keep it that way despite the large gap. In a September statement, Johnson said he would be working to address the budget and would not close the gap on the backs of workers and working families.