CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lightfoot’s nearly $13-billion budget is headed for a vote by the full Chicago City Council next week, after easily passing out of committee Thursday afternoon.
The City Council Budget Committee voted 26 to 8 to send the amended budget to the full Council for next Monday’s vote. The Mayor needed 26 votes to have an approved budget, so even if she did not pick up another vote next week the budget would still pass.
The financial plans still include a $94-million property tax increase, but 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez noted negotiations among aldermen, city officials and labor eliminated planned layoffs and added money for mental health and anti-violence programs.
"I want to congratulate the collaboration...but I also want to really raise up the work that's been done by the various caucuses - Progressive Black and Latino caucuses," he said.
But some aldermen complain the budget doesn’t dedicate enough money to community needs, and spends too much on policing.
Related
Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th Ward) voted yes on the budget, but she complained to City Budget Director Susie Park that it’s not fair that all non-union city employees will have to take furlough days off to save money, except fire and police brass above the rank of captain.
"They will be exempted from it. Why?"
"So you know I have had discussions with the superintendent and the fire commissioner. I think due to their operations, it is harder, they are cancelled often here and there...I think for there operational purposes they are being exempted," Park said.
"They haven't been exempted in the past," Ald. Hairston said.
She urged Park to rethink that exemption.
The budget goes to the full Council on Monday.