On Friday (Oct. 25), Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to questions regarding a recent donation made by Chicago native and Grammy award-winning recording artist Lil Durk, who now faces federal charges in a murder-for-hire case after being arrested on Thursday (Oct. 24).
Lil Durk donated $150,000 to Mayor Johnson’s campaign in 2023. During the press conference, Johnson remained undecided about the future of those funds. The donation allocation depends on Durk’s verdict in the upcoming case, which Johnson reserves.
“I don’t operate in feelings; I operate in truth and justice,” said Mayor Johnson. “I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding these accusations.” Pressed further on the optics of retaining the contribution, he stood firm, “If you’re asking me to judge a Black man before a full trial, I hope you understand why it’s not my position to decide someone’s fate prematurely.”
Johnson’s response follows Broadview, Illinois’s mayor rescinding Lil Durk’s recently granted Key to the City and terminating a partnership with the rap star’s charity organization. Mayor Katrina Thompson issued an official statement on Friday.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Thompson wrote: “While the American system of justice grants everyone the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law, in the Village of Broadview, the court of public opinion of residents has even higher moral and ethical standards of behavior. And our public partners must also reflect the same uncompromising standards demanded by our residents. Given the news that Durk “Lil Durk” Banks has been arrested in Florida and charged with murder for hire, the Village of Broadview is withdrawing our honorary ‘key to the village’ granted to Durk and is terminating our partnership agreement with his youth organization, Neighborhood Heroes Foundation. As mayor, protecting Broadview’s interests and upholding the values of residents is job number one.”
Banks’ community involvement and Neighborhood Heroes have linked him to numerous prominent figures, both locally and nationally. Legal expert Gil Soffer cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about political ties, stating, “We’re far from any criminal exposure for political officials. The focus here is on the violent crime charged; everything else is noise.”
More as this story develops.
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