By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is defending spending a reported $30,000 on hair and makeup from his campaign coffers.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week Johnson’s campaign spent $30,000 on hair and makeup in one year. During a wide ranging news conference Wednesday, Johnson was asked about the “awkward elephant in the room” and said he supports small businesses.
“We’ll make sure that you know I encourage all of you in this room, support small businesses,” Johnson said. “Go get your hair and makeup done by Black people in particular.”
Using records from the Illinois State Board of Elections, campaign finance tracker Illinois Sunshine shows the Friends of Brandon Johnson candidate committee spent $4,000 at Anthony Jones Salon on “event expenses,” and $23,375 at Makeup Majic for “event expenses” in the past year.
It wasn’t just hair and makeup expenses Johnson defended.
“Our campaign spends money on food,” Johnson said. “We support Black and brown owned businesses, women owned businesses. Printing. There are a number of things that my campaign spends dollars on.”
To those who question such spending, Johnson said everyone has their own opinions.
“If they don’t believe it’s a good use to support small businesses, Black and brown businesses, that is something that they’ll have to deal with when they meet their maker,” Johnson said.
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