Springfield is set to see a new yet familiar face working the halls of power as former Ald. John Arena joins Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration as a Springfield lobbyist. The choice, which is turning heads and raising eyebrows in political circles, marks Arena's re-entry into city politics after his 2019 electoral defeat and subsequent Planning Department resignation in 2020.

With Mayor Johnson's legislative goals facing uphill battles and a tense relationship with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Arena will certainly have to start to build bridges in the state capital. The administration's recent efforts in Springfield have shown limited success, facing criticism for not executing the necessary outreach, according to the Chicago Sun-Times . Pritzker reportedly expressed frustration over the mayor and his team’s lack of established relationships for achieving their goals.

The job sees Arena back in the political sphere after a contentious tenure as alderman and a rocky stint in the Planning Department. As an alderman, he was known for his progressive stance on affordable housing and other social issues. His advocacy won admiration from some circles but brought him in direct conflict with others in the community, such as when he challenged racially charged online comments related to an affordable housing proposal.

Arena's latest position is not without its critics. Some alderpeople, like Jim Gardiner, who defeated Arena, are skeptical about the former alderman's ability to effectively navigate the Springfield scene. "Here is an individual who doesn’t even have good relationships in the city of Chicago," Gardiner said in a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times . "Why do you think he would have good relationships in Springfield?"

Despite the daunting challenges ahead, Kennedy Bartley, Johnson's chief external affairs adviser, has voiced support for Arena, citing his alignment with the mayor's agenda on key issues such as affordable housing, mental health services, and community safety. "He's a fighter and that’s what we need," Bartley said in a statement obtained by the Chicago Tribune .

Arena himself looks to the future with a focus on cooperation. "There are forces beyond us that are coming at us that we all have to look at clear-eyed — and find a way to navigate those troubled waters," he told the Chicago Sun-Times in a phone interview from Springfield.