Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is catching warmth for suggesting Beyoncé might assist repair his metropolis’s monetary points.
The singer’s Cowboy Carter Tour bought out all-three nights at Chicago’s Soldier Subject stadium on Could 15, 17, and 18. Chitown was the trek’s second cease after the Texas native carried out at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium for 5 dates from April 28 to Could 9.
Former public elementary and highschool trainer, Johnson, who was sworn in as metropolis mayor in Could 2023, addressed the group on the Reduce the Tape anniversary occasion in Chicago on Could 19.
In his speech, the Democratic politician talked about Queen Bey whereas discussing a critical predicament going through the Windy Metropolis.
“Beyoncé was right here for 3 days, and I simply wanted her to remain two extra days, so she might assist remedy my finances disaster,” Johnson stated earlier than going right into a spiel about vacationers visiting Chicago.
He continued, “There are extra guests which are coming. Resort occupancy is filling up. We’ve got extra individuals using our trains and our buses. 300 million riders final yr.”
Johnson additionally claimed Chicago amassed $20 billion in “financial vibrancy” by means of tourism earlier than saying, “Town of Chicago is actually a outstanding testomony to what’s potential after we all come collectively.
Based on WGN Chicago, Beyoncé has been a money-making power prior to now. The Grammy Award winner’s Renaissance World Tour stops in Chicago in July 2023 led to a reported 95 % occupancy for downtown inns.
Bey’s Cowboy Carter Tour is already breaking data. The sold-out, five-night stint in Inglewood grossed $55.7 million, changing into the highest-grossing single-venue engagement by a feminine music artist in historical past.
In the meantime, WTW experiences that Chicago faces a suspected finances deficit in 2026 of near $1.2 billion. That finances deficit is forecasted to balloon to $1.3 billion in 2027, with it presumably climbing to $1.93 billion if the economic system declines.
ABC 7 Chicago printed footage of Johnson’s remarks about Beyoncé and Chicago’s finances disaster on the outlet’s YouTube channel, the place individuals weighed in on the subject.
“She in all probability might determine it out since you haven’t!” one commenter exclaimed, suggesting Beyoncé can be a simpler native chief than Johnson.
A second posted, “Now that Beyoncé is gone, sadly, he’s gonna have to lift your taxes.”
Different social media customers additionally supplied their ideas on Johnson sarcastically calling on the “Single Girls (Put a Ring on It)” hitmaker to help him in fixing his finances deficit.
One individual tweeted, “Run Bey!! They’ve the funds and received’t even repair our streets, it’s a rip-off!!” One other critic added, “He can’t determine deal with the deficit on his personal????? WTF is he mayor for?”
Moreover, somebody tweeted, “Oh wow, lol. That’s actually not her downside, although. It is advisable determine one thing to do, Mr. Mayor.”
Beyoncé closed out the three-night Cowboy Carter Tour run in Chicago with a packed viewers of 60,000 concertgoers inside Soldier Subject on Could 18. Her keep within the Chi was met with enthusiasm from native enterprise homeowners within the space.
“Yall possibly the viewers… I can’t consider”
Beyoncé was so gagged by Chicago!
They deserve their 10s. Beyoncé feeds off the viewers vitality and you may inform from the efficiency tonight. The vitality was at a 💯! pic.twitter.com/frGVryAkfk
— NotBeyoncebutViolence (@ourhermitage) Could 19, 2025
“We’re so excited as a result of when Beyoncé comes, she doesn’t simply convey the guests, she brings the residents out, individuals from all of our surrounding areas all through the state, and he or she brings the vitality,” stated Select Chicago president and CEO Kristen Reynolds advised WGN Chicago.
The worldwide famous person and mother of three confirmed her appreciation for the Second Metropolis’s residents through the closing moments of her Cowboy Carter Tour set. Even an apparently chilly evening didn’t cease her or the BeyHive fanbase from having a great time.
“Chicago, I would like y’all to know y’all could also be the most effective viewers. I can’t consider y’all have a lot vitality,” Beyoncé stated, per USA At present. “It’s 50 levels, they are saying it appears like 41. Y’all been out right here giving me a lot heat.”
The Cowboy Carter Tour hits East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium starting on Could 22. Beyoncé can also be scheduled to carry out in stadiums within the surrounding areas of London, Paris, Houston, Washington, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.
