Mayor Brandon Johnson’s public safety advisor, Alyxandra Goodwin, found herself in a bit of a predicament last month when she was pulled over by a Chicago police sergeant for driving with expired plates. Goodwin explained to the officer that her “check engine” light kept coming on, preventing her from passing an emissions test and renewing her tags for the past two years.
The traffic stop, which took place near the 6600 block of South Cornell, resulted in Goodwin being arrested for an outstanding traffic warrant from DuPage County. Despite the situation, footage from the stop showed a relatively amicable encounter between Goodwin and the officers present, with Goodwin even expressing gratitude for the officers’ professionalism.
During the stop, Goodwin candidly admitted to the sergeant that she was aware of her expired plates since 2022, citing her car’s ongoing mechanical issues as the reason for not being able to renew them. The sergeant informed her about the possibility of getting extensions for emissions tests but was unsure if Goodwin qualified given the extended expiration date on her plates.
After running Goodwin’s ID, the sergeant discovered the outstanding warrant, leading to Goodwin’s arrest. Goodwin, who mentioned that she was on her way to a mayor’s office event and that her children were home alone, was allowed to make phone calls to arrange for someone to take care of her kids.
During one of the calls, Goodwin mentioned her boss, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood, and the impending arrest. She even handed her phone to the sergeant, who remained unaffected by Goodwin’s City Hall connections and proceeded to take her to the Grand Crossing (3rd) District station.
Despite attempts to involve her boss in the situation, the sergeant remained firm in following protocol and ensuring that Goodwin was processed at the station. The encounter ended with Goodwin’s boss inquiring about the district commander before the call was concluded.
Overall, the incident shed light on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with vehicle maintenance issues and the consequences of neglecting them. It also highlighted the importance of following traffic laws and addressing any outstanding warrants promptly to avoid legal complications.
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