28 Chicago alders say Mayor Johnson's 2027 budget lacks votes to pass

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget faces opposition from 28 City Council members, who say it needs major changes to win approval.

Chicago budget vote opposition

What we know:

The Budget Accountability Coalition outlined its concerns in a letter to Johnson on Tuesday. The members said the proposal does not have the 26 votes needed for passage.

The alders oppose a proposed $25 monthly charge for each employee at companies with more than 125 workers. They also reject a plan to raise the personal property lease transaction tax from 15% to 20%, a 33% increase. The letter says the budget includes tens of millions of dollars in new spending.

The letter says the proposal relies on one-time revenue and borrowing to help close a budget gap of about $882 million. It also criticizes the administration for counting $119.8 million in savings without detailing them.

The coalition says it wants a revised budget that protects essential services, supports job growth and is structurally balanced. Its members say they will not support a budget that includes a tax on jobs, the lease tax increase or new spending.

What they're saying:

The alders say the city should first reduce recurring costs, collect money already owed to it and determine the size of its ongoing budget gap before considering new revenue.

They cited a city Inspector General’s finding that Chicago is owed more than $8.1 billion. The letter says the city comptroller estimated about $3 billion of that debt is collectible or was incurred within the past seven years.

"Before asking taxpayers for another new dollar, your administration should adopt the IG’s recommendation and start collecting from businesses, contractors and others able to pay, while protecting residents facing genuine hardship," the letter said.

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The members also said the city’s 2026 budget froze the lease tax at 15% through 2028, and they oppose changing that rate before then.

"We gave Chicagoans our word on that rate. If we break it one year later, why should any Chicagoan believe the next commitment this Council makes? At 15% it is already the highest tax of its kind in the nation. We will not break our word on the cap we imposed last year," the letter said.

The other side:

FOX Chicago reached out to the mayor’s office for comment on the letter and is waiting to hear back.

What's next:

The letter says there were 51 days left before the city was required to have an approved budget. The coalition urged Johnson to revise his proposal and bring forward a plan that can earn the necessary votes.

"The hard work to build a responsible budget for the City of Chicago has not been done," the letter said. "This version of your budget is a non-starter. This budget would hold back growth just when Chicago needs it most."

The 28 alders who signed the letter are: