Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter
@Williamjkelly • 56,261 subscribers
Veteran Chicago reporter. Despised by Mayors Johnson, Lightfoot . Emmy-award winning. Subscribe: https://t.co/2yTTvVRprW Please credit for use of video
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🚨 FLASHBACK: I called it. Bally's River North would fail. Lightfoot called me "full of crap." I stood up and asked her the question Chicago deserved answered. Why ram through a casino most of the neighborhood didn't even want? Why promise it would revive tourism and conventions when violent crime — not the lack of a casino — was keeping people away? She had no answer. So she attacked. Called my questions "lies." Snapped "you're full of crap" on camera. Threatened to have police drag me out of her own press conference. And on camera, her press secretary called me "an animal." Bally's has failed to meet expectations since the day it opened. It just skipped its own earnings call. It couldn't deliver the jobs, the revenue, or the "revival" Lightfoot sold Chicago on. So what did Bally's do? Hired Lightfoot's law firm. To sue the city. Over legal video gambling terminals — because Bally's can't compete without a monopoly. And Johnson? He's not fixing Lightfoot's failure. He's protecting it. Pushing to repeal that same legalization to hand Bally's the exclusivity it never earned. He still doesn't have the votes. A failing casino. Two mayors covering for it. And Chicagoans still waiting on the answers they tried to shut down. What a pair - Johnson and Lightfoot. 🎥 Watch the flashback. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter214,918 views • 7 days ago
🚨 RAW VIDEO from today’s presser with Mayor Brandon Johnson after weeks of hiding from the press, then he attacks Pres. Trump. I asked: "Mayor Johnson, you went to Rome with 40+ people. We still don't know who paid for that." "We don't know what benefits to the City of Chicago have been derived from that. Real Chicagoans are very upset." I asked whether the hundreds of millions he spent on illegal aliens were more valuable to Chicago than the Bears and the revenue they generate. Word salad is what I got for an answer. Then, for the second question, I asked whether he and his wife, Stacy, would deploy some of their 150+ CPD command staff officers to help keep Chicagoans safe ahead of Juneteenth. Then he got defensive and lashed out at Trump. Mayor Johnson called Pres. Trump "an absolute miserable failure and a disappointment to this country." So I asked: "Why don't you work with President Trump?" Johnson's response? "He needs to work with me." Wow. So Mayor Johnson thinks that he, of all people, is above the President of the United States. Does Pres. Trump even spend a second thinking about Brandon Johnson? I doubt it. Who paid for the Rome trip? And what did Johnson bring back besides excuses? WATCH 👇
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter595,145 views • 29 days ago
RAW VIDEO: From today’s presser with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Outrage is exploding across Chicago over the murder of Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman. A young woman is dead. Her family is grieving. This city is demanding answers. Today I asked the Mayor a simple question: After saying Chicago is safe, will you apologize to Sheridan Gorman's family? He refused — and got angry that it was even asked. Then his staff tried to shut me down. This isn’t the first time I’ve asked him about other violent crimes involving illegal aliens. Same response: no answers. Dismissive. Tone deaf. Mayor Johnson has still yet to issue a statement on Sheridan's death. Governor Pritzker didn’t issue one either — until he was forced to. Meanwhile, Johnson has spentmillions of Chicago taxpayer dollars on illegal aliens in Chicago — but when tragedy hits home, the silence is deafening. No apology. No answers. No accountability. Chicago is outraged — and demanding better.
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter1,203,574 views • 3 months ago
RAW VIDEO: I Cornered Pritzker About The Chicago Bears — And He Refused To Answer 🚨 I went to Gov. Pritzker's presser today and here's what happened: Gov. Pritzker said he didn't want taxpayers spending billions to help a billionaire family keep the Chicago Bears in Chicago. But he's a billionaire himself. 💰 And he's been more than happy — even proud — to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on illegal aliens. So I asked him: "We all know the Bears generate revenue. Illegal aliens typically are a drain on taxpayer dollars. Do you think long-term, especially when you're running for President of the United States, losing the Chicago Bears will be a bad decision?" Pritzker refused to answer. Instead, he blamed Greg Abbott and defended spending billions on illegal aliens. So I followed up: "Would those taxpayer dollars have been better spent on American citizens?" Pritzker refused to answer that, too. When a governor can't answer a straight question from a reporter, taxpayers should ask themselves why. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter345,709 views • 1 month ago
Something really strange just happened. Chicago Mayor Johnson's presser was abruptly canceled today and his communications director Erin Connelly (wearing the mask) looks freaked out. I'll find out and report what's up. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter882,203 views • 4 months ago
⚡ RAW VIDEO: “Answer as a Man” — Kelly Confronts Mayor Johnson ⚡ At today’s presser, I asked Mayor Johnson what real Chicagoans are asking: how can you call law enforcement “a sickness” while you hide behind 150 sworn CPD officers? And if you and your wife Stacey were ever attacked — shot at, rammed by a protester vehicle — would you order your police detail to stand down? He really didn't like that question. Then I asked him a question that infuriated him and his staff and they tried to shut me down: Last month, a Nicaraguan illegal alien bashed a Chicago woman’s head into the sidewalk, knocked her unconscious, and raped her. So I asked Mayor Johnson: if that victim had been your wife Stacey, would you want ICE to deport that rapist? Yes or no? His answer? He wouldn’t say yes. So I said it for him: “No? OK, that’s the answer. That’s the answer for real Chicagoans.” That's not an answer a real man or a real mayor would give - that's the opinion of this reporter.
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter995,367 views • 9 months ago
🚨 RAW Video from today's presser with Gov. JB Pritzker: Chicago's legacy media have already forgotten about Sheridan Gorman. So has the Governor. So I reminded him. "Do you remember the name Sheridan Gorman?" "She was killed by a suspect, an illegal alien who would not have been in this country or even on the streets, but for your SAFE-T Act." The Governor talked against Trump. He talked about the Lankford bill. He talked about comprehensive immigration reform. He did not talk about Sheridan Gorman. He won't even mention Katie Abraham. So I pushed harder. "What do you have to say just to the family of Sheridan Gorman? Do you have anything to say?" His first instinct? My camera. "I know you're holding your camera up… I see a lot of cameras here." "To be clear, Reporters have cameras, Governor." He finally got there: "This is an awful tragedy." And even conceded: "This man was a murderer. There's no doubt about it." So I asked the only question that matters: "Why was he in the country?" No direct answer. Both men were free on this Governor's watch. And he still won't say their victims' names. 🕯️🕯️
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter342,274 views • 3 months ago
A big THANK YOU to Daily Caller for putting a spotlight on my "questions" about Juneteenth violence to Chicago Mayor Johnson and his failure to take responsibility for it. Let's just say he wasn't exactly happy with my questions. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter66,204 views • 21 days ago
This is what has been happening all night at Columbus and Illinois Street. Hundreds of teens and young adults. Heavy police presence including at least 8 squad cars. All it took was warm weather. What will happen when the DNC Convention is here in August and police are diverted to the United Center? Kim Foxx now says she'll prosecute DNC protesters she just won't prosecute criminal defendants? #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter2,349,022 views • 2 years ago
🚨 RAW VIDEO: Reporter William J. Kelly grills Brandon Johnson over apologizing to Officer Bartholomew’s family. At today’s presser, I confronted the mayor over his past anti-police rhetoric, including calling law enforcement “a sickness,” and other policies in light of the murder of Officer Bartholomew. I asked: “Given your past calls to defund the police, your hiring of individuals with controversial anti-police rhetoric to high-paying positions, and your statements describing the incarceration of violent repeat offenders as racist, would you take this opportunity to apologize to the family of Officer Bartholomew?” Officer Bartholomew’s alleged killer is a convicted criminal with 20 felonies who had been released prior to the attack, and Johnson says incarceration is racist. His answer: “I don't agree with not only your premise but even your characterization…” No apology. “OK, so you won't apologize to the family of Officer Bartholomew just as you refuse to apologize to the family of Bethany McGee…” No answer. “So you will not apologize.” “Next question, please.”
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter200,620 views • 2 months ago
RAW VIDEO: “COWARD!” — Watch My Relentless Line of Questioning At today’s presser, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson tried to duck my questions AGAIN. I told him: “Last week I asked you about the Nicaraguan illegal who beat a Chicago woman unconscious and raped her on a sidewalk—you didn’t answer. Millions shared my video, millions called you a coward. DHS shared it too—millions more views—and called you a coward for hiding behind 150 sworn CPD officers.” Then I asked again: “If that had been your wife Stacy, would you allow ICE to remove this violent offender? Yes or no?” He snapped: “Invoking the name of my wife is out of bounds… intentional provocation… reprehensible.” I fired back: “OK—what if that woman who was beaten and raped was somebody’s wife who didn’t have your 150-officer detail? What would you say to her and her husband today? Do you have anything to say to the victim?” He mumbled: “Any individual that commits a crime should be held accountable.” I pressed: “Will you turn him over to ICE?” He dodged: “Thank you… back to the budget.” I said it loud: “WHAT A COWARD.” He still won’t answer. I still won’t stop.
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter659,092 views • 8 months ago
In Chicago, the mayor’s first job is simple: keep the streets safe. Snow, cold, or a wind chill of –35°? That’s winter in Chicago, not an excuse. Plows don’t get snow days, and neither should da mayor. Chicago history is clear: mayors have been fired for not plowing the streets. is here to remind public officials who they work for. We educate, we organize, and we get Chicagoans registered and ready to vote—because yelling at the TV never got a street plowed. Join the movement to Save Chicago Now. Head to to register, chip in what you can, and help get Chicago moving again. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter423,084 views • 5 months ago
A big thank you to Daily Caller for reporting on my tough questions to Mayor Brandon Johnson about his unpaid city bills and the water-and-sewer charges tied to him and Stacy Gates — at a moment when Johnson already has egg on his face after losing the budget fight and refusing to sign the budget he just lost, a move that’s drawn criticism across City Hall.
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter474,007 views • 6 months ago
STOP THE PRESSES! New video from Chicago Mayor Johnson's pressers. Chicago Mayor Johnson refused to answer my questions yesterday about waste, fraud, and abuse tied to his lavish Rome trip with an eight-person entourage — plus his personal police security. Instead of answers, I got ducking, dodging, staff interruptions, and the usual attempt to shut me down. So today, I gave him another chance. Johnson said the purpose of the trip was to deliver the Pope a Cubs hat. I told him Chicago taxpayers could save a lot of dough if he just mailed the cap. Then came the real question: who’s picking up the tab? Johnson says no taxpayer money is being used. But World Business Chicago is funding the trip — and World Business Chicago is funded by the City of Chicago. Johnson is also the chair. Then I asked if anybody doing business with City Hall is going with him to Rome. His answer? He said he didn’t have the guest list. C’mon. Does that sound straight to you? Chicago deserves answers from Mayor Johnson. Watch the full video.
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter89,530 views • 1 month ago
A HUGE THANK YOU to Daily Caller for helping me put a spotlight on Gov. Pritzker's epic failure to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The billions in taxpayer dollars he said were needed would have been there had he not spent them on illegal aliens. The Governor didn't handle my questions well—not at all. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter54,100 views • 1 month ago
🚫 Today I Was Blocked From Covering Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson's press conference - That’s Not Democracy. Here’s the raw video of Gov. JB Pritzker’s staff denying me media access to his press conference with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson this afternoon — for no reason and with no explanation other than I wasn’t “on the list.” I’ve attended and questioned Gov. Pritzker before, and I’ve been a credentialed reporter in Chicago for more than a decade. This is a textbook First Amendment violation. The Governor’s staff even threatened to have me thrown out of the building by State Police. 🚔 And let’s be clear: this press conference was staged. It wasn’t just about condemning Trump’s Border Patrol deployment to Chicago — it was about Pritzker and Johnson surrounding themselves with friendly reporters who would stick to their talking points. Pritzker is planning a White House run, and he can’t have #ThatReporter asking tough questions. Silencing me is silencing the public. #FreePress #FirstAmendment #ThatReporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter390,003 views • 9 months ago
While 18 year-old Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman was being laid to rest Saturday, this is what Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was doing: Johnson said, "Here in the city of Chicago we believe in protecting every single person in this city." Well, that clearly did not apply to Sheridan Gorman, who was shot in the back and killed by murder suspect Jose Medina, an illegal alien from Venezuela who twice was released - once by the Biden Administration and once by the Cook County courts. Johnson said we have to protect illegal immigrants - like the one who killed Sheridan. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter143,383 views • 3 months ago
Take away his mic!" That’s what Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson snapped at his press secretary before turning his anger on me. Then he got right in my face: "Don’t ever interrupt me again," he threatened. He was fired up the second he saw me yesterday—still pissed off about my video last week on his well-paid anti-police staff including Kennedy Bartley. He didn’t like the questions, and he made damn sure I couldn’t ask more. Cut me off four times, and twice he threatened me. But I’ve got the full video for you to judge for yourself and see if you agree with him that crime in Chicago is down. It’s the same tired line we heard from Lightfoot. I brought up the murder of 18-year-old Jess Kendall near the United Center on Sunday, the site of the DNC Convention. His response? Barely even touched it. Then I pressed him if he and his wife are going to reduce their 200+ police officer security detail—while the city’s down 2,000 cops. And as usual, he filibustered me with double talk. City Hall was more hostile than usual. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter619,638 views • 1 year ago
A big THANK YOU to Daily Caller for helping me and the people of Chicago keep the heat on Mayor Brandon Johnson on these violent teen takeovers. I think takeover is too nice of a word. It's mob violence and its mostly black teens and young adults who are doing this. I know he doesn't like it when I say that either but I call a spade a spade. #thatreporter
Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter44,030 views • 1 month ago