This browser does not support the Video element.
Another high-level Chicago city official out amid major shakeup
There's more turmoil at the top of Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration with the resignation of a high-profile official. This comes after the firings of two other top aides, who criticized the mayor's approach to law enforcement.
CHICAGO - Chicago is currently without a Commissioner of Human Rights. Nancy Andrade, who has held the post since 2021, resigned suddenly Tuesday night, causing an uproar in the local Jewish community.
It follows the high profile firings of former Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Garien Gatewood and Manny Whitfield, head of the Office of Violence Prevention.
Andrade issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday night to Fox Chicago, praising the work of the commission for offering "justice to all who have experienced the humiliation and trauma of discrimination."
"As the head of the CCR, but also as a licensed attorney, I took an oath to uphold these values, as well as a strict code of ethics," Andrade said. "My resignation is in service of that oath."
Multiple sources told Fox Chicago that Andrade was under pressure from Mayor Brandon Johnson and his senior leadership team after disagreements over a report on antisemitism that was released last month.
Sources said mayoral staffers wanted to broaden the report to make it about hate crimes in general, rather than antisemitism. Those sources said Andrade felt frozen out and was expecting to be fired by the mayor's senior leadership team.
The mayor's office confirmed Andrade's resignation on Tuesday evening.
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th Ward), who has clashed with the mayor and progressive alders on debates surrounding Israel and Gaza, offered a statement of praise for Andrade's tenure, but expressed doubt over the direction the mayor is taking on issues of hate against the Jewish community.
"Her resignation raises broader concerns about the direction of our mayoral administration," Silverstein said. "The Jewish community deserves partners in City Hall who will listen, collaborate, and act with urgency in the face of rising hate. Those standards have too often not been met under Mayor Brandon Johnson."
What they're saying:
"The Simon Wiesenthal Center commends outgoing Commissioner Nancy Andrade for her years of principled and devoted leadership on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.
At a time when antisemitism has surged to historic and deeply alarming levels, Chicago’s political leadership—most notably Mayor Brandon Johnson—has too often responded with hesitation, equivocation, or stonewalling. This continued intransigence in confronting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish Chicagoans is both unacceptable and dangerous.
In stark contrast, even in the face of internal resistance and at considerable professional risk, Commissioner Andrade demonstrated rare moral clarity and courage. She did not equivocate. She did not delay. She acted—consistently and forcefully—to confront antisemitism and uphold the core mission of protecting all communities from hate.
Her unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism—and hatred in all its forms—has made Chicago stronger, safer, and more just. As others failed to meet the moment, she rose to it. We are deeply grateful for her leadership, and she will be greatly missed. We look forward to continuing the work with her successor to ensure the safety and dignity of the Jewish community and ensuring security and respect for all communities in Chicago."