On December 20th, I was proud to stand with my fellow aldermen to pass a City Council-led FY26 City of Chicago Budget by a vote of 30-18. This budget is the result of countless hours of negotiations, planning, and consultation among City Council members representing every corner of the City of Chicago, with different backgrounds and community concerns, in conjunction with nationally recognized municipal finance experts, former City Hall finance professionals, and local nonprofit organizations.
This is how government should work.
The compromise budget ordinance makes key changes that better represent the needs of the City and puts us on a more fiscally sustainable path moving forward. These changes include:
- No garbage fee increase
- No “Head Tax”
- No grocery tax
- Increased Personal Property Lease Transaction Tax
- Updated business permit and license fees
- No cuts to the Chicago Public Libraries
- Full pension payment contribution
- Expanded rideshare congestion zone to cover additional high traffic neighborhoods
- $0.05 increase in the shopping bag tax
- A focus on collecting debt that is already owed to the city
- Millions of dollars in additional government efficiencies
- Increased funding for gender-based violence resources
- Advertising on City property
- Less borrowing to protect our financial future
We have heard from residents and businesses, and this is the budget they want. While it may not be perfect, it was achieved through collaboration and trust, and represents a path forward that will benefit all Chicagoans.
The City Council budget I helped negotiate only changes $285.4 million out of the Mayor’s proposed $16.6 billion budget, a small but meaningful 1.6%. The remaining 98.4% of the proposal is consistent with the budget introduced by the Mayor. That includes shared priorities like: thousands of additional youth jobs, increased funding for public safety and violence prevention programs, added revenue from the business community by raising certain corporate taxes, no furloughs or layoffs, funding to reestablish the Department of the Environment, and more. The only difference is how we get there. I believe our proposal is balanced in a fair and equitable way that both meaningfully moves our shared priorities forward while also protecting Chicago’s fragile but growing economy. Underserved communities like the ones I represent in the 3rd Ward need jobs. This budget ensures that businesses are paying their fair share, while employers are also able to create job opportunities for all Chicagoans.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the budget poll I sent. Your responses, as well as the numerous emails, phone calls, and in-person conversations I have had over the last few months have made me a better negotiator throughout the budget process. I believe the City Council-led FY26 Budget best reflects these conversations, and is the best budget for the City of Chicago.
As always, please feel free to reach out to my office anytime at Ward03@cityofchicago.org.