(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Brandon Johnson says he and Chicago City Council members are moving closer to an agreement on a balanced budget. But, he says, they still have a lot of work ahead.
Mayor Johnson confirms reports that his office has crafted a framework for a fiscal 2025 Budget that would cut the $300 million property tax increase he first proposed in half. But, he says, don’t call it “deal” as some have.
“As you know, this is not the final budget. We've reduced the property tax by $150 million. There's an ongoing level of collaboration that I'm very encouraged by and I'm grateful that the city council has embraced this new process,” Mayor Johnson said.
Some Alderpersons have complained that they have not been a part of the negotiations. The Mayor says they’ve reached out to all 50 Alders, but some have been—in his words—slow to answer.
North Side Alderman Scott Waguespack is not satisfied with the mayor’s attempt of collaboration.
“You know, I've seen less collaboration here than I've seen in any other administration. I'll give you a perfect example.
“When I get an email at 11:30 for a meeting at 12 o'clock about the budget, that's not collaboration, that's just incompetence.”
Waguespack, a former Finance Committee Chair, said he believes the entire property tax could be eliminated or at least reduced much further.
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