Chicago City Council Budget Accountability Coalition Tells Mayor Johnson His FY27 Budget Lacks Votes Needed to Pass

Chicago City Council Budget Accountability Coalition Tells Mayor Johnson His FY27 Budget Lacks Votes Needed to Pass

28 Council Members Reject Tax on Jobs, 33% Lease Tax Increase and New Spending, Call on Mayor to Present Responsible Budget That Can Earn 26 Votes


CHICAGO, IL – Today, 28 members of the Chicago City Council Budget Accountability Coalition sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson outlining that his proposed FY2027 budget does not have the 26 votes needed for passage. The letter communicates the coalition's concerns with the Mayor's proposal, including a new tax on jobs, a 33% increase in the personal property lease transaction tax, tens of millions in new spending, and a reliance on one-time revenues and borrowing to close the City's $882.4 million budget deficit. The coalition also criticized the administration's failure to identify meaningful government efficiencies and pursue billions in outstanding debt owed to the City. The coalition called on the Mayor to rework his proposal and present a responsible, structurally balanced budget that protects essential services, supports job growth and can earn the 26 votes needed for passage.


The letter was signed by Aldermen Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), Pat Dowell (3rd Ward), Desmon Yancy (5th Ward), Greg Mitchell (7th Ward), Michelle Harris (8th Ward), Anthony Beale (9th Ward), Peter Chico (10th Ward), Nicole Lee (11th Ward), Marty Quinn (13th Ward), Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward), Derrick Curtis (18th Ward), Matt O’Shea (19th Ward), Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward), Monique Scott (24th Ward), Felix Cardona, Jr. (31st Ward), Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward), Bill Conway (34th Ward), Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward), Emma Mitts (37th Ward), Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward), Samantha Nugent (39th Ward), Anthony Napolitano (41st Ward), Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), Timmy Knudsen (43rd Ward), Bennett Lawson (44th Ward), James Gardiner (45th Ward), and Debra Silverstein (50th Ward).

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