Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ally resigns leadership positions

After a groundswell of calls from his council colleagues to step down over a “bullying” incident at a special City Council meeting last week, Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa, 35th, has resigned as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s floor leader and as head of the powerful zoning committee.

Johnson announced the change early Monday, days after a tense special City Council meeting in which the Black Caucus accused Rosa of “physical and verbal harassment.”

As floor leader, Rosa has been the mayor’s eyes and ears, helping pass legislation and halt it at Johnson’s behest. Rosa discouraged allies from attending Thursday’s special council meeting in the hopes that not enough members would be present to proceed.

The meeting was called to consider a ballot referendum question on the city’s sanctuary status. Rosa was accused of “manhandling” Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, in an attempt to keep her from entering Council chambers.

She eventually did get in. Rosa declined to comment on the incident…