4 city workers fired, placed on Do Not Hire list accuse Ronnie Reese, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's ex-top aide, of retaliation

CHICAGO (WLS) — As the daughter of two Chicago police officers, public service was a natural fit for Azhley Rodriguez.

Securing a position in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s press office had long been a cherished aspiration for Rodriquez. However, this dream job turned sour when Rodriquez was abruptly dismissed from the Brandon Johnson administration and added to a blacklist of undesirable hires.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“It completely ruined a future I would have, so it’s not fair to me. And for the people behind me, it’s not fair to them either,” Rodriguez said.

Alongside Rodriquez, three other former members of Johnson’s press team also faced the same fate of termination and inclusion on the “Do Not Hire” register. Despite this drastic action, these ex-employees claim they were never provided with a concrete explanation for being blacklisted.

“I think it was retaliation,” Rodriguez said.

Their prevailing belief revolves around a suspicion of retribution orchestrated by Ronnie Reese, the former communications director under Johnson. Historical documents reveal that these former staff members had raised concerns about Reese’s alleged misconduct, which purportedly encompassed instances of harassment, sexism, and racism.

“I witnessed the different treatment of male and female staffers,” said former Mayoral Director of Digital Strategy Josué Ortiz.

In a statement, Reese denies all the allegations. He was fired in October and not placed on the “Do Not Hire” list.

Some of the former fired staffers brought their concerns about Reese last year to the mayor’s chief of staff, Christina Pacione-Zayas. They say she suggested peace circles and restorative justice to solve the issues with Reese.

On Monday, Johnson denied knowing about the allegations against Reese until last week, when his office received a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of Reese’s personnel film. Some alderpersons doubt it.

“I don’t see how the mayor could not know about this,” said 38th Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack.

“The mayor says he didn’t know about it. There will some FOIA requests to determine whether or not that is true,” said 36th Ward Ald. Gil Villegas.

The four former employees have been taken off the “Do Not Hire” list following an appeal. But it took over a year.

The Do Not Hire List is usually reserved for ex-employees who accused of serious misconduct or crimes.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
ABC7 Great Chicago Blood Drive with American Red Cross to kick off Jan. 15-16

ABC7 Chicago’s Big Blood Drive with American Red Cross starts on January 15-16

CHICAGO (WLS) — The clock is ticking! On Wednesday, Nov. 20, we…
Oak Park shooting: Candlelight vigil honors fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins; Chicago man Jerell Thomas accused of murder

Honoring Fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins at Candlelight Vigil in Oak Park: Jerell Thomas from Chicago Charged with Murder

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A community came together Friday evening to…
White attorney who spat in the face of teenage BLM protest leader wins $750,000 payout for ridiculous reason

White lawyer spits on young BLM protest leader and receives $750,000 settlement for absurd justification

An incident involving a white lawyer spitting at a Black Lives Matter…
Prosecutors hone in on Resurrection Project deal for Andrew Madigan in former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan trial

Prosecutors focus on Resurrection Project agreement concerning Andrew Madigan in trial of ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan

Former 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis has already given his testimony, and…
UnitedHealthcare CEO's assassin is hailed a hero by an army of Americans: Murder triggers outpouring of hate directed at health insurance industry with killer lauded as 'man of the people'

American Public Praises Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO as Hero, Sparking Wave of Hostility Towards Health Insurance Industry

The brutal killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson has sparked a flurry…
‘Before’ Episode 8 Recap: Black Homes and Revelations

Recap of Episode 8 of ‘Before’: Unveiling Black Homes and Surprising Revelations

Well, I’ve got to hand it to Before, and possibly kick myself…
V Foundation to honor former longtime ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott at 4th annual Boo-Yah! event in NYC

V Foundation celebrates former ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott at 4th annual Boo-Yah! event in NYC

NEW YORK — Once again, friends, family, and supporters of the V…
R.I.P. Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh: ‘America’s Got Talent’ Comedian Dead At 39

Loss of a Comedy Star: Remembering Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh of ‘America’s Got Talent’ at Age 39

Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh, who appeared in Season 16 of America’s Got Talent,…
Biden lights 30-foot White House Christmas tree... and everyone is saying the same thing

Biden illuminates 30-foot White House Christmas tree… and everyone agrees on one thing

President Biden had a hair-raising experience as the White House’s annual Christmas tree…
WATCH: 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast Host Roasts Kamala Harris Over Infamous Interview

“View the ‘Call Her Daddy’ Podcast Host Critiquing Kamala Harris for Infamous Interview”

Despite Kamala Harris largely fading from the spotlight after her defeat to…
Top plastic surgeon explains Lindsay Lohan's 'unrecognizable' new face - and the staggering amount it may have cost

Plastic surgeon analyzes the dramatic change in Lindsay Lohan’s appearance and estimates the high cost involved

If you want a lesson in what some plastic surgeons have come…
'Christmas Star' to grace the night sky this weekend; crescent moon and possibility of more displays of the Northern lights

Don’t Miss the ‘Christmas Star’ in the Night Sky this Weekend; Look Out for the Moon and Potential Northern Lights Shows

A trifecta of stargazing events could be visible in space in the…