Chicago's Budget Battles: Aldermen Demand Transparency

Chicago's city council members are pushing for a full look at a costly report on potential city savings. The report, created by Ernst & Young, cost taxpayers over $3 million. Aldermen want to see all the findings, but the mayor's team says they'll only share the final recommendations. At a recent budget meeting, aldermen expressed concerns about transparency. They reminded the mayor's team about promises made earlier this year. Some aldermen worry that the administration might leave out good ideas that don't fit their plans. The report looks at many city services and costs. It includes things like fines, benefits, and contracts. The city has a big budget gap to fill, and this report could help. But aldermen want to make sure they see all the options. Aldermen also asked for other information before the mayor's budget speech. They want to know about savings from hiring freezes and costs of police settlements. They also want details on city contractors and programs paid through a general fund. The mayor's budget team says they'll share the final report before the budget speech. But some aldermen aren't satisfied with this promise. They want to see all the findings, not just the final recommendations. This budget process could be tough. The city has a big budget gap to fill. And with elections coming up, politics could make things even harder. Aldermen want to make sure they have all the information they need to make good decisions.