Budget Update: December 5, 2024

Photo Credit: Better Streets Chicago

Last month, my colleagues and I convened a special meeting and voted unanimously against Mayor Johnson’s proposed $300 million property tax levy. This vote represents a new era where, instead of rubber stamping the Mayor’s budget, City Council takes an active role in creating a better budget that works for the people. 48th Ward neighbors have been hit hard this year with property assessments, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues to find alternatives that don't put such a large burden on residents. 

Since then, I have been working closely with my colleagues and our city departments on ways to increase revenue and find efficiencies to close the nearly $1 billion budget gap for 2025. Each city department has come before City Council to present their proposed budget, which includes a 3% reduction in spending, and to answer questions from Alderpeople. Our goal is to pass a balanced budget this month. Last week, we hosted the Better Government Association to hear their independent analysis of the proposed budget. This is part of my commitment to have the 48th ward be included and represented in the budget process. You can watch a recording of the meeting here.

At the same time, I continue to advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors including older adults, those with disabilities, women and families, and those who are housing insecure to name a few. That means increasing support for housing, gender-based violence prevention, mental health services, and maintaining basic city services such as our libraries, infrastructure, sanitation, health/building inspections, etc. We are committed to looking at the budget with an environmental lens including electrifying our city vehicles, and creating an electric vehicle infrastructure.

On Monday, December 2nd I stood with advocates including Better Streets Chicago and Access Living along with Alderpeople La Spata and Ramirez to call for $1 million in funding for the Plow the Sidewalks pilot. The Plow the Sidewalks program would allow our neighbors including older adults and those with disabilities to safely navigate our city during the winter months. To fund this program, we are proposing a congestion tax that would be added to rideshare rides in the most congested parts of our city. This is just one new revenue idea being considered at this time, and an example of how our City Council is working together on improving public safety and quality of life for all. 

On Monday, we took another important step towards budget transparency and accountability by introducing the Management Ordinance. This ordinance makes various changes to the City’s budget process, reporting, and functions of the Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA). As a proud co-sponsor, this ordinance will allow for more informed budget decisions in years to come.

I continue to encourage everyone to stay engaged in the process by signing up for the Better Government Association’s “budget snapshot” emails, and continuing to share feedback through our budget survey. As your representative, I will continue to work with my colleagues towards a balanced budget that reflects our values, supports working families, and sets our city up for a successful 2025 and beyond.

Yours in Community,

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth

48th ward alderwoman