City Bureau is reporting on Chicago’s 2021 budget process with residents in mind and communities in focus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust the city into a nearly $800 million shortfall by the end of 2020 and an anticipated colossal $1.2 billion budget gap next year—which would be the largest in Chicago’s history. The budget process will determine how the city will attempt to increase revenue (potentially through taxes) and decrease expenses (by cutting city services and/or personnel) to balance its books, which means decisions made this fall could have an enormous impact on Chicagoans’ everyday lives.
Stories by the Team
Other Resources
Upcoming City Council budget hearing meeting schedule, Documenters.org
Introducing CTBA’s Chicago Budget Tool, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
People’s Budget Bus Tour, Chicago United for Equity
2021 Chicago Budget Portal, City of Chicago
2021 Budget Engagement, City of Chicago
Why your alderman (and mine) always votes yes on the Chicago city budget, Chicago Reader, 2012
Have Your Say
Want to share your opinion on Chicago’s budget process? Have a question about the 2021 budget,or want to share a tip? Reach out to us via the form below, or email Amanda Tugade at fatugade@gmail.com. You can leave a voicemail or text message for us at 312-361-0881.
Who Are We?
This fall, four City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellows will report on City Council—and the money—to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis and the #DefundCPD campaign may impact the 2021 budget, and in turn shape Chicago’s financial future for decades to come.
Grace Del Vecchio, Kelly Garcia, Corli Jay and F. Amanda Tugade. (Photos: Sebastián Hidalgo)
