Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is refuting suggestions that his administration is withholding information tied to his proposed budget for next year, as aldermen call for a special City Council meeting to dig into one key report.
At least ten aldermen have called a special meeting for Monday, November 10 to interview the analysts from Ernst and Young who compiled a report on where the city might find savings in its operations.
The council members have suggested the mayor's office intended to only release certain parts of the EY report, and have accused the mayor of not being transparent about its recommendations.
But live on WBBM Newsradio Tuesday morning, the mayor told anchor Cisco Cotto and political editor Geoff Buchholz that his office posted the full report the same day that he released his budget proposal, and his team has worked hard to incorporate as many voices as possible.
"This is the first time in the history of Chicago where a mayor actually brought together experts from all backgrounds, whether it's the business community, labor, elected leaders, community-based organization leaders, to look at how do we really modernize government," the mayor said.
And he says some of the EY recommendations will result in greater savings beyond next year.
When asked if he would encourage his allies on City Council to attend Monday's meeting, he said "I always encourage people to show up for the people of Chicago."