Budget director: Chicago to go over budget on police OT
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago's budget director says the city is on track to pay $100 million in police overtime this year, which is $30 million over budget.
Chicago Budget Director Alexandra Holt gave aldermen the figures Monday during the first day of hearings on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed 2016 budget. The mayor's plan includes a $543 million property tax over four years, among other tax increases and new fees.
The city budgeted about $70 million for police overtime this year.
Holt says $60 million of that $100 million is spent for police working past the end of their shifts and going to testify in court. The rest of the money is being spent on extra violence-reduction patrols in high-crime areas.
Chicago spent about $93.4 million on police overtime last year.