CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is open to bringing NASCAR back to Chicago.
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At a news conference with reporters on Tuesday he weighed in on the street race and holiday weekend violence.
“I can’t imagine how those drivers manage to race in those kinds of suits; if I had to wear that attire every day at work, it would be quite the challenge,” Johnson remarked.
He may not have to wear the suit, but Johnson must decide if bringing the street race back to Chicago is worth it.
“The larger question is around, how do neighborhoods across the city benefit from anything that we bring to the City of Chicago,” he said.
Although NASCAR’s revenue figures are still being calculated, the mayor notes NASCAR has been beneficial for local community programs. However, the mayor emphasizes that during negotiations with NASCAR, all possibilities need to be considered, though he did not provide detailed specifics.
“Far more people are going to be involved in this process than when it was initially birthed,” he said.
Downtown aldermen are demanding they be part of the conversations with NASCAR.
They say negotiations must include changing the date of the race from 4th of July weekend.
“It’s a heavier burden for our law enforcement, because of so many so much activity that happens in Chicago,” Johnson said.
Even with the start of the holiday weekend marked by a tragic mass shooting in River North, the mayor reports that crime rates for the July 4th weekend have decreased compared to previous years.
“The decline of violence is a result of the full force of government, working with all entities of government, at every single level of government, and making critical investments, particularly communities that have been starved in decades,” he said.
The mayor said he is worried how those communities will be impacted by President Trump’s big policy bill.
Johnson said his budget team plans to do a complete analysis to figure out the exact impact.
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