Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior adviser, Jason Lee, intervened in a dispute between Johnson’s health commissioner and Acclivus Inc., a politically connected antiviolence group.
Acclivus receives millions in public money despite concerns about tracking its workers’ activities. The Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) 2025 review raised issues with Acclivus’s data collection. Dr. Olusimbo Ige, the health commissioner, criticized Acclivus for bypassing city protocols before leaving her position.
Acclivus challenged the audit results with CDPH officials, while Lee’s involvement raised questions because the $8 million grant is governed by a separate department. Johnson had connections to Acclivus, including a campaign donation, and the involvement of South Side activist, who worked for both Johnson and Ald. Pat Dowell.
Acclivus Chief Operating Officer Sheila Regan bypassed Ige, appealing to Lee by email for clarification. Lee included Johnson’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, urging CDPH to respond swiftly. Lee attended a meeting with CDPH where Acclivus argued against the audit, calling demands unreasonable.
Ige contemplated not renewing Acclivus’s contract, yet statements from Regan and Johnson’s spokesperson denied circumventing rules, with Regan seeking clarity, not extra funds.
Lee’s involvement stemmed from expediting processes after a delayed budget approval. Ultimately, CDPH allocated additional funds to Metropolitan Family Services. A clerical error showing inconsistent fund amounts for Acclivus sparked confusion.
Critics noted unusual mayoral office intervention in grantee issues, with Kaplan questioning Acclivus’s expectation for special treatment. Ige’s records revealed ongoing struggles with Acclivus and highlighted the importance of transparent data reporting for violence prevention programs.
Regan refuted Ige’s claims and defended compliance with city procedures. Competitive bidding during 2024’s process led to Acclivus and Metropolitan Family Services sharing funds, after Acclivus previously clashed with former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration over funding protocols.
Sources indicated Acclivus sought city funds from Lightfoot’s administration, which insisted on competitive bidding. Dowell acknowledged mentioning Acclivus to Lightfoot’s aide without advocating for direct funding.
Acclivus’s ties with politicians sparked concerns about influence on public fund distribution. Discussions around funding transparency raised questions about favoritism. Ige expressed doubts about contract renewal amidst tensions with Acclivus over data submission compliance.
CDPH audited other organizations, like Metropolitan Family Services, which showed no conflict. CDPH reframed discussions with Acclivus as requests for documentation rather than audit findings, confirming compliance later.
Street outreach programs across U.S. cities aim to combat gun violence through local initiatives. However, funding allocation often becomes contentious due to political connections. Acclivus’s political ties, including campaign contributions and consulting arrangements, fueled doubts about impartial fund distribution.
Acclivus CEO LeVon Stone coordinated directly with Mayor Johnson, despite competitive bidding underway. Internal funding patterns under scrutiny highlighted complex challenges in violence prevention efforts amidst political implications.
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