Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson goes to Springfield, meets with state lawmakers on budget
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson traveled to Springfield, Illinois, Wednesday to meet with Gov. JB Pritzker and other top state lawmakers about the budget.
While Johnson's visit came late in the state budgeting process, and his past tensions with the governor are well-known, Johnson insisted neither was an issue.
"Just because you have a disagreement doesn't mean that that's an obstacle. That's called democracy," Johnson said. "No way the times in which, you know, the governor and I may have had different approaches is somehow some impediment to be able to do right for the people of Chicago."
Johnson wants more state funding for public transportation and education, and a partnership with the state to help reduce homelessness.
The Regional Transit Authority has warned that CTA, Metra and Pace are facing drastic service cuts in 2026 as the agencies approach a fiscal cliff. The RTA said a bailout of between $770 million and $1.5 billion is needed from the state to keep transit running as expected as Biden-era funding runs out. The agency has also proposed a regional fare increase and "labor optimization" that could impact around 3,000 jobs.
Some of Johnson's other priorities for the city's budget includes extending the 911 surcharge, which he said will bring in more than $27 million for the city every year.
"My responsibility is the city of Chicago," Johnson said earlier in the day. "Our presentation is actually quite modest. You know, the overall ongoing issues for revenue that will benefit the entire state, those are part of short- and long-term conversations that have been a part of efforts statewide to generate revenue for working people."
In addition to Gov. Pritzker, Johnson met with Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch.
the General Assembly has until May 31 to agree on a budget.
