CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The old adage, "politics ain't beanbag" appears to be an apt description of the behind-the-scenes leveraging going on as Chicago aldermen are pressed to support the mayor's budget proposals.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a blunt message to aldermen who don’t support her budget.
Mayor Lightfoot has been quoted as telling some alderman, “Don’t come to me for s*** for the next three years” if you don’t support the budget.
According to the Sun-Times, the response from at least one alderman was just as blunt.
Alderman Jeannette Taylor was quoted as saying, “This is some bulls***. We’re elected just like you are.”
During a virtual Town Hall on Thursday night, 18 members of the Progressive Reform Caucus weighed in on the budget, including North Side Alderman Daniel LaSpata.
"We need a budget that does not harm working families, but that allows them to thrive in this city, and that asks the very wealthy and the big corporations to pay their fair share," Ald. LaSpata said.
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Members of the public also weighed in. Political activist Sam Clendenning said "we ask you to leverage your power. All of you must refuse to vote for any budget which is not progressive. Don't allow a budget that raises the financial burdens on working families."
The mayor needs 26 votes to pass the $94-million property tax increase and a 3-percent hike in the gas tax, among other items, as the city looks to close an estimated $1.2 billion hole.