Chicago City Council Approves $17 Billion Budget, But Challenges Loom
The Chicago City Council has narrowly approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17 billion spending plan, avoiding property tax hikes, job cuts, and reductions in city services. The budget was passed with a 27-23 vote, with some aldermen expressing relief and others frustration about the outcome.
"I want to thank every single alderperson who worked with my administration to get this budget over the finish line," Johnson said after the vote.
The approved budget includes about $165 million in taxes, fines, and fees, and does not include a property tax hike. The city’s financial challenges, however, remain, with a $1 billion budget shortfall plugged in part with one-time revenue sources.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington)
Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) called the budget a "hard pill to swallow" and expressed concerns about the city’s long-term fiscal stability. "Today means we have more work to do," he said. "We avoided cuts to youth employment and vital services, but the can has been kicked for years."
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), a critic of the mayor, was blunt. "This isn’t a victory," he said. "The structural changes necessary to avoid the billion-dollar deficit next year have not been addressed. All of these questions are going to be looming for as difficult as this budget season was, next year’s will be worse."
Lopez criticized the rushed process, saying that the council was forced to vote on 70-page amendments without adequate review. "In any other normal scenario, this would have been flushed out in a committee where you would be able to review it, where you would be able to talk about it," he said. "That wasn’t the case today. We were doing it literally on the fly, on the floor."
Fractures in the Council
The vote was not without its divisions, with some aldermen calling for change in the city’s budget process. "The administration needs to stop thinking a few voices can run this whole city," said Ald. Emma Mitts (37th). "We’re elected to represent our communities. If we’re going to talk property taxes, be honest. Do your homework and respect the process."
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) echoed Mitts’ concerns, saying, "The people wanted change. They wanted us to cut the budget. They wanted us to trim the fat, and that’s what we were trying to do, but they wanted to just increase spending. So here we are today: They’re taxing and ‘feeing’ the people of the city of Chicago to death."
Calls for Change in Process
Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) criticized the timeline, saying, "We had a late start, which has forced us to be 16 days before judgment day. More time needed to be had, but that comes with more collaboration and transparency and, quite frankly, the administration getting a head start."
The Road Ahead
The approved budget includes investments in youth, community safety, and city services. It contains the most extensive city-funded youth jobs program in Chicago’s history, creating 29,000 opportunities for young people next summer. The budget also allows for the continued funding for the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program, which sends mental health professionals – not police – to help people in crisis, prioritizing care and compassion over enforcement.
For Mayor Johnson, the budget signals a new direction for a city where past mayors weren’t as collaborative or considerate of the working people of Chicago. "Make no mistake, for far too long, this city has balanced this budget on the backs of working people with cuts to vital programs, services, jobs, and the closing of schools, clinics, and public housing," he said. "No one budget can fully reverse that legacy, but the budget we passed today is yet another down payment on securing a better, stronger, and much safer future for the people of this fine city."
Conclusion
The approved budget is a step in the right direction, but many challenges remain. As the city moves forward, it is essential for the council and the administration to work together to address the city’s long-term fiscal stability and the needs of its residents.
FAQs
- What is the approved budget for Chicago?
The approved budget is $17 billion. - What are the major components of the budget?
The budget includes investments in youth, community safety, and city services, as well as taxes, fines, and fees. - What is the city’s financial situation?
The city has a $1 billion budget shortfall, which was plugged in part with one-time revenue sources. - What are the concerns about the budget process?
Some aldermen have expressed concerns about the rushed process, lack of transparency, and lack of collaboration between the council and the administration.
