Mayor Johnson won't say whether he will return Durk's $150,000 campaign contribution, but praises the community's work

Mayor Brandon Johnson reserved judgment on Lil Durk, calling him “someone who has worked to change his life.”

After the rapper was charged with murder-for-hire, the mayor avoided a direct answer when asked whether he would return a $150,000 campaign contribution related to Durk.

“I do not know all the circumstances and details surrounding these allegations,” the mayor said Friday. He then discussed the work of Neighborhood Heroes, a nonprofit foundation founded by Durk.

Durk has worked to “strengthen the financial literacy of children across the city and is passionate about making other important investments for the children of this city,” Johnson said at an unrelated news conference at Collins High School.

After “the trauma he grew up in,” Johnson added, “Durk worked to turn that trauma into opportunities for other people.”

The mayor's campaign fund, Friends of Brandon Johnson, reported a $150,000 donation from The Voice Touring LLC on June 23, 2023. The Voice Touring is a New Hyde Park, NY-based company whose manager runs Durk under his legal name, Durk Banks, in documents filed with the Nevada Secretary of State, where the LLC is registered.

Johnson was asked if he thought he should return the money.

“I don’t operate on feelings. I act in truth and justice,” Johnson said.

“Here is another example of a young black man who grew up with severe trauma that led to life decisions,” the mayor said, and Durk “has been very open and vocal about healing those decisions.” That's why he committed to finding one’s righteous path and seeking truth and justice through one’s faith.”

Johnson added that Durk “was not convicted of anything.” … It is not my job to determine the outcome of a person’s life.”

One of Johnson's suburban colleagues moved away from the rapper more quickly.

The village of Broadview, where Lil Durk has performed, revoked a “Key to Village” it gave the rapper and ended its partnership with his foundation on Thursday, according to a statement from Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson.

“While the American justice system grants everyone the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law, the court of public opinion of residents in the village of Broadview has even higher moral and ethical standards of conduct,” Thompson’s statement said.