Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Rachel Cohen as the communication director in his administration, announced on Friday. This appointment emphasizes the mayor’s intention to connect with Chicago residents on social media platforms, notably Instagram and TikTok. Cohen’s influence is evident by her substantial following, with over 700,000 followers across social platforms.
Mayor Johnson stated, “The way people get their news and information is changing, and we have to meet Chicagoans where they are. Rachel understands how to take complex issues and make them accessible, while bringing the work of this administration directly to people on every platform.” Cohen gained recognition last year after her resignation from the law firm Skadden due to its agreement to provide $100 million in pro-bono legal work for President Donald Trump’s administration.
Cohen has been a prominent critic of Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz immigration initiative and a supporter of progressive candidates like New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Recently, Cohen collaborated with Johnson’s political team to create videos promoting the mayor without receiving payment, as she disclosed in an interview with the Tribune last month.
Regarding her new role, Cohen stated, “I am honored to join Mayor Johnson’s administration, which has been working tirelessly to deliver progressive policy, and work with the team to ensure Chicagoans know how to take advantage of the many resources and programs Mayor Johnson has spearheaded.” She replaces Erin Connelly, who facilitated growth in social media reach and reinstated regular press briefings during her tenure.
At 32 years old, Cohen holds a Harvard Law School degree and was recognized as one of Chicago Magazine’s 2025 “Chicagoans of the Year.” She has previously worked as a digital communications consultant for progressive candidates and nonprofits but has not led a communications office in a permanent capacity before. Her extensive work includes hundreds of videos and articles on Substack that provide legal analysis of Trump’s policies.
Cohen has also targeted political opponents of Johnson, such as Michael Sacks, a financier and Democratic donor linked to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, urging Chicagoans to stay informed about Sacks’ influence in local politics.
Following her appointment, Cohen announced on social media her decision to decline other job offers for the position at City Hall. She expressed her commitment to helping people understand and engage with progressive policy and their communities. Cohen plans to reduce activity on her personal accounts and focus on her role with the mayor while highlighting Johnson’s achievements in areas like taxation, crime prevention, and affordable housing expansion.