Chicago Wishes Jewish Community a Happy Passover | City of Chicago

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson extended Passover greetings to the city’s Jewish community on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, wishing them a joyful celebration of the holiday. The message was shared via social media platforms including Instagram and LinkedIn.

“On behalf of the City of Chicago, I want to wish a joyful Passover to Chicago’s Jewish community and to all who celebrate,” Mayor Johnson stated in a post on both Instagram and LinkedIn. “As you gather to reflect on the stories of liberation, resilience, and hope, Chicago reflects on the strength and enduring impact of our Jewish community.”

The Mayor’s message emphasized the city’s commitment to inclusivity and safety for all faiths. “My administration is committed to keeping Chicago a safe and inclusive place to practice ones faith and celebrate culture and traditions,” the statement continued. “We hope your seder is full of joy, tradition, and time spent with loved ones and community. Happy Passover.”

Chicago’s Jewish Community

According to data from 2020, the Jewish population in the Chicago metropolitan area is estimated to be around 319,600, with approximately 120,000 residing within the city limits of Chicago itself. The remaining 200,000 Jewish residents live in the surrounding suburbs.

Historically, West Rogers Park has been the largest Jewish community within the city, and continues to be a significant center for Jewish life in Chicago. At the end of the 20th century, approximately 30% of the Chicago area’s Jewish population lived within the city limits, while over 80% of the suburban Jewish population resided in the northern and northwestern suburbs.

The Jewish community in Chicago has a long history, dating back to the 1830s with the arrival of Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe and Germany. Over time, the Jewish population within the city has evolved, with a trend towards an older and more educated demographic, though recent years have seen a resurgence of Jewish residents in urban areas beyond traditional neighborhoods.

Recent City Initiatives

Mayor Johnson’s Passover message comes amidst a series of recent announcements from his office. On April 1, 2026, the Mayor’s Office of Reentry kicked off Second Chance Month, and Mayor Johnson, along with Ald. Bennett Lawson, celebrated the launch of an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) expansion ordinance. The Department of Housing announced a $300 million investment in affordable housing.

Earlier in the week, on March 31, 2026, Mayor Johnson and the Mayor’s Office of Homelessness released the city’s five-year blueprint on homelessness. The Department of Planning and Development also announced spring purchase opportunities for vacant city lots.

The City of Chicago acknowledges that it is located on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations, as well as many other Native American tribes, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. The city specifically recognizes the contributions of Kitihawa of the Potawatomi in fostering the community that became Chicago.