Posted on 09/01/2020 7:50:34 AM PDT by SJackson
Citing ’catastrophic collapse’ of economy, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says Chicago faces $1.2 billion shortfall in 2021 ’pandemic budget’
Citing the “catastrophic collapse of our local and national economy” because of COVID-19 and damage to local businesses from civil unrest, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday laid out a $1.2 billion shortfall for what she called Chicago’s “pandemic budget” in 2021.
Filling the historic deficit will likely require personnel cuts and could lead to layoffs, and the mayor promised to use a TIF surplus and consider a computer lease tax as other potential measures. Lightfoot made no mention of a possible property tax hike in her remarks.
Asked afterward for specifics about cuts or taxes, Lightfoot said that “all options are on the table,” though property taxes and job cuts are at the back of her list.
“The reality is that life will be different for the foreseeable future, impacting how services are provided and how departments are structured, and we must adjust to meet that reality,” Lightfoot said in an afternoon speech at the Cultural Center.
“A very difficult part of reimagining government will also include looking to our workforce, and making needed changes in places that are not being fully utilized during the remainder of this crisis and in our post-COVID-19 world,” she said.
Lightfoot largely avoided discussion about the city’s rising pension costs, aside from calling for state lawmakers to work together and solve the problem. But alluding to the issue, Lightfoot pushed back against Republican critics who say the federal government shouldn’t help blue cities and states such as Chicago and Illinois because their budget woes are “a result of years of mismanagement.”
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Behind a paywall
She's a lightweight, Cuomo is demanding 500 billion.
This requires swift, bold action. She should increase the pay and benefits for herself and Chicago’s government “workers” before the money totally runs out.
That’s a shame.
Gee, that’s a shame.
-Seinfeld
Good
Easy. Just eliminate the School System, Police Department, the Prison system, and the DA’s office. You aren’t using any of them anyway.
Good luck Lori. You have a billion dollar problem to solve.
Since Chicago has been run by Democrats for decades, there’s no way she can blame her problems on Republicans.
So show us Lori, how a good Democrat solves long term financial problems created by other Democrats.
Please don’t ask the rest of the country, especially Red states, to bail you out.
Nothing changes till the cashflow stops......................
The murder capital encourages riots, then cries about an economic disaster.
This is so surreal.
If you own a home or business in Illinois, I advise you to get out now. The state WILL steal everything you have before they go under.
Did she say this while wearing a mask ?
Much like barack hussein obama...getting the job and having the ABILITY to handle the job are two totally different things
This is what happens when the Democrat Party runs things for too long.
My tiny violin has been given quite a workout lately.
Fiscal mismanagement will do that to you.
All of these lib/commie Mayors brought this on to themselves, and now want a YUGE bailout.
Saw off, CommieFreak!!
Looting and arson will do that.
Maybe they could get creative, such as by pledging parking meter revenue for the next 75 years in exchange for a one time lump sum payment.
Oh, sorry, that’s already been done.
I’ve heard that the city of Chicago owns O’Hare. Is that true? If so, I could imagine leasing out O’Hare, or other city assets, to get some quick cash.
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