Alderman Dowell Issues Statement on the FY26 City of Chicago Budget

Dear 3rd Ward Resident,

A budget is a compact between the City of Chicago, our residents, and our business community. It’s built on trust, honesty, and a shared set of goals: keep people safe, keep neighborhoods affordable and vibrant, help businesses grow and thrive, and use tax dollars responsibly. Every line item should serve these goals.

The proposed FY2026 budget includes new revenue ideas, economic assumptions, borrowing plans, and program funding that must be carefully vetted and independently verified. We also face real constraints. The city must meet its pension obligations and protect its long term fiscal health. We must be honest about trade-offs and cautious about ongoing costs. We must protect essential services, avoid one-time fixes for ongoing needs, and demand value for every dollar.

Responsible budgeting requires disciplined analysis of both revenue and spending. We cannot return to “scoop-and-toss” borrowing or rely on wishful revenue estimates. Chicago must live within its means, and every dollar should improve the lives of all Chicagoans.

That is my commitment this budget season. I will press the administration and my City Council colleagues to meet the same standards of responsibility and transparency, and I will keep you updated on our progress.

Complete budget documents can be found on the Office of Budget and Management website. Comments can be submitted to my office at Ward03@cityofchicago.org or directly to the Mayor’s office at letterforthemayor@cityofchicago.org.

Sincerely,