To combat the city’s projected $1 billion budget deficit in 2025, the Office of Budget and Management has proposed a number of taxes, fines and fees; including residential parking permit fees, fines for business license violations, and taxes on shopping bags and services.

Jen Lenz

Hey Chicago! I’ll be live-tweeting [or “x”ing] today's City Council Committee on Finance meeting for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters @city_bureau

08:59 AM Dec 10, 2024 CST

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 2/12

The Finance Committee meeting begins at 9:00am at City Hall & online chicityclerk.com

chicityclerk.com

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 3/12

Today’s posted agenda:

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 4/12

After several panic screen refreshes at 9:00am, I realized the meeting didn't disappear---the livestream just hadn't started. 🧐 It's 10min after & I still have time to refill my coffee bc meeting is running late...

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 5/12

Despite the late start, there's a good energy in the room. A lot of folks showed up & during the public comment section several speakers spoke on behalf of Chicago City Council’s 2025 budget, urging the council to pass the new budget.

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 6/12

In today's meeting the committee is supposed to vote on how to fund the proposed budget, using property taxes, bonds, fines, fees, and other revenue sources. @ChiCouncil

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 7/12

I've reported on many Finance Committee meetings over the past year. I've listened to them discuss ordinances & work on drafting this budget for a long time. ---- But I have never seen the committee so divided like I I did today.

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 8/12

A substitute ordinance was passed; amending Municipal Code Titles 3, 4, 9, & 10 which relates to revenue derived from certain taxes, fines & fees & authorizing the levy of real estate taxes for Fiscal Year 2025. @chicityclerk

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 9/12

@chicityclerk In discussions leading up to vote on the budget, there was some opposition amongst the aldermen on the committee. The energy in the room felt a little uncomfortable. Ald. Lopez & Ald. Reilly spoke the most vocally in opposition of the budget.

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 10/12

@chicityclerk Ultimately, the substitute ordinance was only passed by 14 [yes] - 12 [no].

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 11/12

@chicityclerk Meeting adjourned at 10:10am. This concludes the City Council Committee on Finance meeting. The next committee meeting hasn’t been announced yet TBD. However, the next regular City Council meeting is tomorrow Wed, Dec 11th at 10:00am. @ChiCouncil

Jen Lenz @JenLenz 12/12

@chicityclerk @ChiCouncil For more meetings coverage, follow @CHIdocumenters @city_bureau & check out documenters.org

documenters.org