Chicago Construction News staff writer
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has released his FY2024 budget which he says will “lift up disinvested communities, foster economic vitality, and focus on safety.
“Investing in people is at the heart of this budget and this administration because I, like so many Chicagoans, know what disinvestment looks like and feels like,” Johnson said in a speech. “I’m proud to present a budget that reflects both our challenges and our opportunities to begin the critical investments necessary to build a better, stronger, safer Chicago.
“This budget is the people’s budget; we will ensure that every resident of this city can thrive in peace and prosperity, connected to all the amenities and resources they deserve.”
The $16.6 billion budget reduces the city’s structural deficit over time and continues investments in community safety, health and environmental services, housing and infrastructure.
“I want to thank members of the public, workers across City departments, and fellow elected officials who all helped to shape this plan,” Johnson said. “As we look ahead to the next steps of this budget process and the future of our city, this administration will continue to be grounded in the principles of co-governance, and leading with competency, compassion and collaboration.”
Budget highlights:
- $76 million for youth jobs and programming, expanding summer and year-round youth employment programs within our city departments, adding resources within the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s Office of Labor Standards to ensure it has the resources it needs to defend and serve all workers, and establishing the Office of Labor Relations within the Mayor’s Office to ensure policies align with the needs of both employee and employer, while working to create better, safer working conditions for all our workers.
- re-establishes the Department of Environment to coordinate all of the City’s environmental and resiliency efforts. The budget also sustains key investments in the City’s tree planting and maintenance system and increases funding for the Department of Streets and Sanitation’s forestry division.
- $250 million investment in homelessness supports, including an increase in the City’s Flexible Housing Pool and operational supports for Chicago’s shelter network. It expands the Department of Housing’s Home Repair Program with an additional $10 million investment, offering critical support to low-income homeowners in need of repairs that will make their living conditions safer, and increases funding for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Home Modification Program, to ensure that residents with disabilities can make their homes accessible.
- $53 million towards the City’s six Lead Service Line Replacement programs. It also creates a new Department of Technology Innovation to bring in more modernized, innovative systems to manage the complex operations of the City of Chicago and better deliver on key services.
- “It is truly an honor to present this budget. It is an honor to serve as your Mayor. Let us take this first step together toward restoring the Soul of our city and making it work better for all. Chicago is the greatest city in the world, and that we have the power to make it even greater.”
The budget will now go under consideration by the City Council, with a series of hearings by the Committee on Budget and Government Operations, starting Monday, October 16, before final approval.
To view the City Council’s budget hearings, visit chicityclerk.com.
To view a copy of the 2024 Budget Documents visit: chi.gov/2024BudgetDocuments
This “mayor” and city council and governor are the Worst thing to happen to Chicago and Illinois since their foundings. God have mercy on the people of Chicago and Illinois.