Chicago Faces Budget Crisis as Mayor Johnson Delays Vote Amid Opposition

With a Dec. 31 deadline looming, Mayor Johnson struggles to secure support for a $17.3 billion budget, facing pushback on tax hikes and spending plans.

Mayor Brandon Johnson postponed a critical City Council vote on Chicago's 2025 budget after failing to secure the necessary 26 votes for approval.
The proposed $68.5 million property tax increase, along with other taxes and fees, has faced significant resistance from alderpersons and the public alike.
Key sticking points include potential program cuts, unpaid furloughs for city workers, and the elimination of unfilled police vacancies to address a $150 million funding gap.
Failure to pass the budget by the end-of-year deadline could disrupt city services, raise borrowing costs, and risk a credit rating downgrade for Chicago.
Johnson has pledged to work through the weekend to revise the budget, with discussions focusing on compromises to balance spending cuts and maintain critical initiatives.