The CPS budget proposal relies on hundreds of millions in fund sweeps to “balance.” Despite layoffs, CPS payrolls grew compared with last year and remain 8,250 higher than 2020 levels despite fewer students.

Going into this budget cycle, there should be an added urgency for the City Council to build its capacity to play a co-equal role in the budget process and push to adopt more reforms and efficiencies to control spending.

By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.

Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.

Tax increment financing districts divert public property tax dollars with little oversight, letting cities keep special taxing powers for decades, often misusing funds and shortchanging taxpayers.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered a budget that does little to improve the city or advance his many progressive initiatives. Here’s what it does, and what Chicagoans should be asking city leaders about what it could be.

An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”