2021 budget
$94 Million Property Tax Hike Is Coming After Divided Council Votes Yes
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2021 pandemic budget and tax hike were approved Tuesday in the closest budget vote since the 1980s.
City Council Set To Vote Tuesday On 2021 ‘Pandemic Budget’ With $94M Property Tax Hike
The tax hike is part of an effort to close an unprecedented $1.2 billion shortfall next year. The budget also seeks to refinance debt, a tactic known as “scoop and toss” budgeting.
2021 Spending Plan, Management Ordinance Clear Committee, Teeing Up Final City Council Vote
The spending plan was approved 26-8, drawing support from the minimum number of aldermen the ordinance would need for approval by City Council.
Lightfoot’s $94 Million Property Tax Hike Clears Major Hurdle
The city's Finance Committee approved the tax hike by a 21-12 vote. Mayor Lori Lightfoot needs 26 votes at City Council to pass it.
Aldermen Fight Back On Proposed Property Tax Increase As City Tries To Fill $1.2 Billion Budget Hole
The tax hike is one tool Lightoot’s "pandemic budget" relies on to close an estimated $1.2 billion budget gap, but it’s drawn the most heat among aldermen.
Despite Budget Sweeteners, Lightfoot Faces Uphill Climb To 26 Votes, Aldermen Say
Despite padding the budget with an extra $10 million for violence prevention efforts, some aldermen who are typically aligned with Lightfoot have signaled they will not support her proposed property tax hike.
Progressives Push For Amazon Head Tax To Plug City’s Budget Shortfall, But Aldermen Send Plan To Purgatory
A plan to reallocate $5 million from the police to create a mental health crisis response team was also sent to the Rules Committee by unsupportive colleagues.
Layoffs Averted, But Sticking Points Remain As Budget Ordinances Set For Monday Rollout
The proposed property tax hike has some officials skeptical the mayor will have enough votes by Nov. 24, when the budget is scheduled for a final vote.
Aldermen Slam City’s Planning Chief, Accuse Him Of Bypassing Them In Key Ward Projects: ‘You’ve Got To Do A Better Job’
One alderman graded Commissioner Maurice Cox's department with a “resounding D or F.” Cox took over the role last year.
Ald. Sposato Calls Columbus Protesters ‘Savages’ At Police Budget Hearing
The Northwest Side alderman made the comment during a contentious City Council hearing about the Chicago Police budget.
Chicago’s Fire Department Is Overwhelmingly White — And It Needs To Change, Aldermen Say
About 60 percent of the Fire Department is white. Fire Commissioner Richard C. Ford said he's hamstrung in hiring, as the last entrance exam was held in 2014. The next test will happen in 2021.
Cuts To City Key ID Program Proposed To Help Close City’s $1.2 Billion Budget Gap
The City Clerk's office will still launch a plan to modernize City Council's operations next year, including implementing electronic voting so residents can watch aldermanic votes in real time.
Lightfoot Rejects Cutting Police Budget Despite $1.2 Billion Budget Gap: ‘I Do Not Support Defunding’
The mayor's proposal stands in direct contrast to what residents told her they want.
City Needs To Raise Property Taxes, Lay Off Hundreds To Fill $1.2 Billion Budget Gap, Lightfoot Proposes
Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposed property tax increase aims to raise $94 million as the city's finances have been wrecked by the pandemic. A homeowner with a $250,000 home will pay just $56 more per year, she said.