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Chicago mayor's office gives inside look at 'gift room' after watchdog report flagged ethical concerns

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Chicago mayor's office gives inside look at 'gift room' after watchdog report flagged ethical concerns

The City of Chicago recently shared a video of its “gift room” after a watchdog group accused Mayor Brandon Johnson of improperly accepting valuable gifts.

On Wednesday, the city also announced new protocols for receiving gifts, along with a log and video of items currently inside its “gift room.”

The transparency attempt comes after the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) accused Johnson of accepting valuable gifts and failing to report them.

Alleged unreported gifts included jewelry, alcohol, AirPods, designer handbags and size 14 men’s shoes, prompting ethical concerns.

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The Office of the Inspector General accused Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson of improperly accepting designer gifts. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The new protocols, which went into effect on Tuesday, note that officials must report and properly log gifts within 10 days; store gifts in a designated area that can be viewed publicly via video recording quarterly; and donate excess gifts.

The first video log was sent out on Wednesday and featured artwork, clothing, hats and shoes.

The footage attempts to combat OIG claims that Johnson denied internal investigators access to the room where the items were stored during an unannounced inspection in November.

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A written log contains 18 pages of items, along with their location and the organization that donated the gifts.

“These procedures reaffirm the Mayor’s commitment to ethical governance and transparency and ensure prompt disclosure of all gifts received on behalf of the City,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused of improperly documenting designer gifts while also blocking access to the City Hall “gift room,” according to a report from the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG). (City of Chicago)

Johnson previously accused the inspector general of a “mischaracterization,” while insisting he never personally benefited from any gifts.

The OIG report listed Hugo Boss cuff links, a personalized Montblanc pen, a 2023 U.S. National Soccer Team jersey, a Gucci tote bag, a Kate Spade red purse and Carrucci size 14 shoes from Feb. 2, 2022, through March 20, 2024.

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While spotted in the video log, dated Feb. 11, the online log does not account for the tote bag, purse or shoes, as of Wednesday. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused of improperly documenting designer gifts while also blocking access to the City Hall “gift room,” according to a report from the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG). (City of Chicago)

Other items like the cuff links and pen, while accounted for in the log, do not list the organization or person who donated the gift.

Inspector General for the City of Chicago Deborah Witzburg told Fox News Digital Wednesday night that only some items are visible in the 22-second video, presenting “practical challenges.”

“There are some things visible in the video which are maybe recognizable, but I don’t know that anybody is in a position to look at that video and find the pair of Hugo Boss cuff links or the personalized Montblanc pen,” Witzburg said. “I don’t know that it lends itself to that. I’m not sure whether it’s intended to.”

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According to Witzburg, the video does not serve as a substitute for public access, which citizens are entitled to.

She added she is “deeply concerned” about the fact that even gifts logged in the last couple of days have no information about their givers. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was accused of improperly documenting designer gifts while also blocking access to the City Hall “gift room,” according to a report from the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General (OIG). (City of Chicago)

“That continues to be really problematic,” Witzburg said. “It doesn’t suggest to me that, at least in that regard, we’ve made a lot of progress… We talk a lot about the fact that the City of Chicago operates at this deficit of legitimacy, and that for decades and generations, the city has given no one any reason to afford the government the benefit of the doubt. And that really matters in a situation like this. Perhaps that video shows a room which appropriately contains everything on that list, but I’m not sure that we have given people any reason to think so.”

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The concern is that gifts might be given or received with the intention of affecting city government decisions or actions, she explained.

“We can’t have a ‘for sale’ sign on the door to City Hall,” Witzburg said. “The city’s ethics rules contain these requirements on gifts, and there are very clear rules on how to handle gifts accepted on behalf of the city.”

Fox News’ Patrick McGovern, Greg Wehner and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee teacher in the running for ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’

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Milwaukee teacher in the running for ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’


This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week and, as many teachers are honored throughout the week, one local educator is in the running for one of the nation’s top honors. 

America’s Favorite Teacher

What we know:

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Tina Gleason, a teacher at Golda Meir School in Milwaukee, is in the running to become “America’s Favorite Teacher” and needs the support of the community to earn the title. 

Gleason is going up against thousands of teachers nationwide. But each week, that list narrows down. 

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This week wraps up the quarterfinals – where Gleason will rely on public vote to move on. 

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Gleason has been teaching for 31 years. Almost half those years have been catered to STEM and sustainability education. 

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“I think it’s just an honor to be recognized,” said Tina Gleason. “I’m just excited to be in the running at all, I had no idea I’d make it to the quarterfinals.”

How to vote

What you can do:

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Voting for the quarterfinals ends on May 7 at 9 a.m. A single vote is free – while a larger quantity requires a donation to The Planetary Society. 

Help Tina Gleason become America’s Favorite Teacher by casting your vote here. 

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The Source: The information in this post was provided by America’s Favorite Teacher.

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Minneapolis, MN

Tom Homan says Trump administration is using "smarter enforcement" in Minneapolis

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Tom Homan says Trump administration is using "smarter enforcement" in Minneapolis


ICE and Border Patrol have come under intense public scrutiny over their immigration enforcement tactics, particularly in Minneapolis. Following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by immigration agents in January, the Trump administration sent Border Czar Tom Homan to work with local officials. CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez sat down exclusively with Homan.



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Indianapolis, IN

New Prime Video doc: Kyle Larson’s maniacal mission to race Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 in same day

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New Prime Video doc: Kyle Larson’s maniacal mission to race Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 in same day


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  • A new Prime Video documentary chronicles Kyle Larson’s attempts to complete “The Double.”
  • “The Double” involves racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
  • Only four other drivers have attempted the 1,100-mile feat, with Tony Stewart being the only one to finish both races.
  • Larson’s attempts in 2024 and 2025 were hindered by weather, penalties, and crashes.

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite knowing the odds were against him, that it would take perfect weather, impeccable timing, the travel gods aligning and everything he had within his soul, Kyle Larson went for “The Double” twice, a feat in racing only four other drivers have attempted.

“The Double” is a maniacal mission to complete 1,100 miles in one day at two of the most iconic races in cities more than 400 miles apart — the Indianapolis 500 first, then NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, N.C.

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Larson’s two-time attempt at “The Double” in 2024 and 2025 is the subject of a new Prime Video documentary, “Kyle Larson vs The Double,” which premieres May 21.

The film delves into the incredible challenges Larson faces, on and off the track, as he goes for one of the most elusive triumphs in racing — from 500 miles in an Indy car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to jumping on a plane to North Carolina to compete for 600 miles in a stock car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The logistical challenge of ‘The Double’ is staggering,” Prime Video says in the film’s press release, “managing the extreme physical toll of heat, dehydration, G-forces and mental exhaustion.”

Before Larson, four other drivers took on “The Double” — John Andretti in 1994; Robby Gordon in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004; Tony Stewart in 1999 and 2001; and Kurt Busch in 2014.

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Stewart is the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles, finishing sixth in the Indy 500 and third in the Coca-Cola 600.

In Larson’s 2024 run at “The Double,” rain delayed the Indy 500, causing him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. He finished 18th in Indy and was replaced by Justin Allgaier at Charlotte. Larson competed in both races in 2025, but crashes dashed his hopes of finishing 1,100 miles in one day.

The film goes beyond Larson’s mission on the track, taking a personal look at his life and career, his mindset, his sacrifices and the people around him who cheered him on.

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“Sometimes, the most compelling stories in sports aren’t about crossing the finish line,” Prime Video says, “they’re about the sheer will and determination it takes to compete at the highest level.”

Watch ‘Kyle Larson vs The Double’ trailer

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on X: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.





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