October 16, 2025
Statement from the Civic Federation in response to the City of Chicago FY2026 Proposed Budget.
"The proposed FY2026 budget repeats past mistakes and fails to provide progress toward sustainable, structural solutions to the City’s immense fiscal challenges. Especially disappointing is that the proposed budget does not meaningfully engage or incorporate the recommendations of the Chicago Financial Future Task Force, relying on revenue increases over structural cuts and savings. As proposed, this budget limits prospects for future growth and leaves unaddressed the even larger deficit the City itself projects for 2027, all but ensuring that the City will likely be in a worse position next year. We see this as the start of a longer process that must involve deeper engagement by the City Council. We look forward to working with the Council and the Mayor’s Office to achieve a stronger, more sustainable plan that will support Chicago today and going forward."
Download the statement here.