CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago City Council has approved Mayor Brandon Johnson's $16.7 billion budget by a vote 41-8 on Wednesday, after weeks of intense debate that centered around how much money the City should allocate to support the migrants who have arrived in Chicago.
The budget includes no new taxes or service cuts.
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st), who represents parts of Logan Square, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village and West Town, called the budget — which holds the line on taxes, will expand mental health services and re-establishes the Department of Environment — a "blueprint" for the city he envisions.
"Like when out on a dark night, you can use that first budget as a flashlight to point the direction, out of the darkness, for where we're trying to go," he said. "I feel like that's what this budget does. It's the promise of a lot of deferred dreams and a lot of deferred justice."
In his budget, Johnson set aside $150 million to go toward supporting migrants — an issue that downtown and West Loop Ald. Bill Conway (34th) said was "tearing the city apart." Ad. Jessie Fuentes (26th) was among those in favor of supporting the migrants.
"The one thing we will always be is a sanctuary city," said Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th). "We always have been."
Although Ald. Jeannette Taylor (20th) voted in favor of the budget, she noted that Chicagoans who have long been here still need more.
"We've got a responsibility to take care of Black Chicago," she said.
South Side Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), who was a "yes" vote, said the spending plan should be seen as a "building block" for an often embattled city —- and City Council.
"The budget shows that we can work together, and when we do, we can be more than the sum of our parts," Dowell said. "I hope that we can extend this good feeling and this spirit of togetherness and uphold the respect that each of us in this chamber deserve as we work collaboratively on what is best for our city moving forward."
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), one of the handful of "no" votes, was clear in his opposition.
"There are three reasons why I'm not supporting this budget: No. 1: The budget is not balanced; No. 2: The budget is not balanced; and No. 3: The budget is not balanced," Beale said.
As for public safety, Johnson's spending plan does not include adding more police officers. It does, though, increase the Chicago Police Department's budget to $582 million — almost an 18% increase. The budget also earmarks money for more detectives and will civilianize nearly 400 positions, something that Johnson hopes will free up more officers to get back out on the street.
Conway was previously against the mayor's first budget, but he stood in the chambers on Wednesday to lend his support.
"I have decided to vote 'yes' on the budget, and I commend you, Mr. President, on putting forth a budget that does not raise property taxes, provides a modest increase for law enforcement, and reopens mental health clinics and mental health treatment," Conway said.
The budget will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
