
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With more help from Washington unlikely, Mayor Lightfoot warns that closing Chicago’s massive budget gap is going to be very painful.
Lightfoot says Congress has shirked its responsibility by recessing without approving another coronavirus relief bill for local governments. Chicago city government will have to close a $1.2 billion dollar gap for 2021 on its own, she says.
Reports say she’s asking organized Labor to help find $200 million in spending cuts. She refused to discuss specifics at a news conference.
Lightfoot said Tuesday she’s looking at a “range of options.” She’s told City Council members this may be their toughest budget ever.
“This is not an easy time. These are not simple decisions, and the decision weighs very heavily on me, as it should,” she said.
Yes, she said, she’s hoping labor leaders will have some ideas. But delay is not possible, the mayor said.