Chicago, City Council

Chicago suffers credit downgrade following agency warning over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget
Ratings agency S&P downgraded the city of Chicago’s general obligation debt late Monday, citing structural imbalance in the just-passed 2025 budget, limited options for new revenue down the line and a lack of willingness among city leadership to cut spending.
Chicago School Board members to be sworn in during City Council meeting
Sean Harden serves as the president of the Chicago Board of Education. He was selected by Johnson to lead the board in December. Harden, a native South Sider, has decades of experience working for the city, holding the title of deputy CEO of community affairs for CPS and director of workforce development for the city.
City Council blocks effort to amend Chicago's sanctuary city ordinance
The council, without debate, voted 39-11 during the first meeting of the year to block the measure put forth by Alds. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) and Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward) to create carve-outs in the ordinance establishing Chicago as a sanctuary city.
City Council sides with Mayor Brandon Johnson on Chicago’s sanctuary city dispute
An effort by opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson to water down Chicago’s sanctuary city ordinance faltered in the City Council Wednesday, a victory for the mayor as his administration prepares for the looming threat of deportations under incoming President Donald Trump.
Crain's Chicago Business2h
On day after city credit downgrade, Johnson seeks to float up to $830M in debt
An ordinance seeking authorization says the mayor wants to use the proceeds for infrastructure improvements, property ...
Mayor Brandon Johnson testing ShotSpotter replacements as alderman tries for his own pilot
Ald. Raymond Lopez want to test a technology that helps police identify and respond to gunshots, but he needs city approval.
Illinois Policy2d
Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election
House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process ...
Chicago mayor, CFO react to S&P Global dropping city’s debt rating
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his chief financial officer are talking about revenue as the city suffers a reduced credit ...
Brandon Johnson responds after Pritzker's strong criticism of administration
A day after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered strong criticism of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s relationships in ...
IL Speaker Welch downplays suggestion Chicago mayor does not have good relationship with state
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch has a warning for Mayor Brandon Johnson: getting help from Springfield this year ...
Mayor Brandon Johnson reopens Roseland mental health center as Treatment Not Trauma plan moves forward
Mayor Brandon Johnson cut the ribbon surrounded by activists who led the charge to reopen a dozen city-run mental health ...
WBEZ1d
Chicago's bond rating dropped to BBB — one step above lowest investment grade
The move will increase the city's borrowing costs, including for Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed $1.25 billion bond issue ...
Crain's Chicago Business1d
S&P downgrades Chicago's credit rating — and the mayor pushes back
The rating agency's action follows a contentious budget season where the City Council initially rejected Mayor Brandon ...
Johnson blasted for failing to deliver on environmental promises
A letter from community organizations that brought a federal civil rights complaint over the General Iron controversy says ...