Mayor Johnson’s $17 Billion Budget Passes, but Challenges Loom for Chicago

Chicago City Council approves Mayor Johnson’s $17 billion spending plan with investments in youth jobs and community safety amid lingering fiscal challenges (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington). With Chicago’s City Council narrowly approving Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17 billion spending plan Monday, voting 27-23 weeks before the year-end deadline, the budget avoids property tax hikes, job cuts or reductions in city services. But on Monday, after that vote, aldermen and observers noted that substantial challenges remain. “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. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington). The budget’s approval occurred after weeks of grueling negotiations, which included the prospect of a property tax hike. Mayor Johnson proposed a $300 million hike that was unanimously rejected by the council. Then he proposed a budget that included a $68 million hike before it was cut to zero ahead of the Monday afternoon vote.& Still, the new budget includes about $165 million in taxes, fines, and fees. What the council voted on was the product of collaboration among a council body starkly divided along ideological and philosophical lines. Though Johnson’s administration averted...