While Mayor Lori Lightfoot laid out her plan Wednesday to resolve the city’s massive deficit, any final budget will require the support of Chicago’s aldermen.
So, with a host of cuts and fee and tax increases on the table, what’s the temperature like at City Hall?
And how does the Chicago teachers strike figure into the budget debate?
Lightfoot said early in her budget speech Wednesday that there would not be a “big property tax hike” in 2020. But that’s dependent on several of the mayor’s key budget items receiving support from Springfield, including an increase to the real estate transfer tax and a new tax structure for a proposed Chicago casino.
It’s unclear how receptive state lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be to Lightfoot’s requests. Illinois continues to shoulder record pension debt and the worst credit rating in the country.
Joining “Chicago Tonight” to weigh in: 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack, 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez and 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin.
Related stories:
Lightfoot: No Property Tax Hike If Springfield Chips In
A Preview of Mayor Lightfoot’s Budget Address
Aldermen React to Mayor’s ‘Hard Choices’ in ‘State of the City’ Speech
Lightfoot Outlines $838M Budget Deficit in ‘State of the City’ Address
