Overview
- Mayor Brandon Johnson dismissed Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Garien Gatewood on Thursday, ending the tenure of the architect of the People’s Plan for Community Safety.
- City Hall said First Deputy Jason Sanford will serve as interim deputy mayor for community safety and declined to discuss specifics of the personnel decision.
- Gatewood says he was told the administration would go in a different direction and he criticized a City Hall culture he described as intolerant of dissent.
- Unnamed sources cited by the Sun-Times reported complaints about a hostile environment toward women and concerns about self-promotion, claims Gatewood and a staffer disputed.
- Top aide Manuel Whitfield was also fired, and community partners warned the changes could disrupt anti-violence efforts as warmer months approach.