# Update From City Hall 12.10.25

- Date: December 10, 2025
- Type: Video
- Length: 30:51
- Topic: Update From City Hall
- Video: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jNnlPbm5A8)
- Transcript: Machine transcription, 3,980 words ([text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/youtube/2jNnlPbm5A8.txt))
- Mayor: [Brandon Johnson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor)

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=0) Preparation and setup
- [5:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=307) Budget and garbage fees
- [6:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=396) Economic policy and priorities
- [8:58](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=538) Flood relief funding
- [10:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=640) Reparations and budget process
- [12:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=735) Market capacity adjustments
- [13:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=782) Gambling and hemp regulations
- [15:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=940) Pensions and fiscal stability
- [18:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1128) Engagement with city council
- [22:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1321) Council resources and oversight
- [24:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1460) Modernizing city government
- [26:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1573) Closing remarks

## Description

Mayor Johnson hosts a media availability.

## Transcript

[0:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=13) Testing, testing. What's going on? Who should we start with? Heather, do you want to start? Just so we can go front to back.

[0:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=46) Hey, Gordy, how are you? You'll go second. Can you tell us what he's going to say?

[5:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=307) Good afternoon. Thank you all for being here today. Okay. We're going to do one and done, so make it count. How do you start? Well, high pressure. High pressure. Hi, Mayor. Hi. I just wanted to make sure that nothing's changed from your perspective. Did you see anything in the rival budget plan formally introduced today to City Council that you could support, Or are you standing firm on your threat to veto any budget plan that includes an increase to the garbage fee?

[5:38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=338) Well, let me just say that I do appreciate the effort, the ongoing effort of members of the city council to provide not just feedback to my proposal, but give me something else to consider. I have not gone completely through the document. I tried to use some of the time that I had to look through it. What I did see was still nearly the doubling of garbage collection fees. I don't support a budget that places such an incredible burden on working people.

[6:16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=376) At a time in which President Trump has made life quite difficult for working people across this country, The city of Chicago should not be adding to that burden. And so, no, I cannot support a budget that nearly doubles the garbage fee for working people. Hi, Mayor. What are your thoughts on the concerns on all this concern about the business losing the business? I'm sorry, the city losing businesses, but not concerned about losing Chicago wins with added fees.

[6:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=408) And also, what do you say to black business owners who feel like the head tax will ruin their business? Well, look, first of all, you know, I've said this, you know, repeatedly, this budget ultimately protects working Chicagoans. That's what this budget does. And this is important because, again, cuts to education at the federal level, cuts to health care, cuts to food. You know, all of the cuts that this president has put forward have harmed everyday people, while at the same time he has worked to enrich these huge corporations that continue to benefit from cuts that everyday people are being sacrificed as a result of it.

[7:31](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=451) What I've done with this budget repeatedly, I have moved multiple times to ensure that city council knows that I'm committed to a real negotiation while at the same time holding to our values. Investing in community safety is my top priority. Ensuring that we are building safe and affordable communities, that's good for business. There's a reason why we have six cranes up and 18 that are committed. There's a reason why our airports are busier than they've ever been.

[8:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=482) Our downtown hotel occupancy, we have shattered records because our economy is shifting and growing as a result of the investments that we are making in community safety. That is good public policy. That is good for business. Now, of course, there's work to be done. But also, when we look at this corporate challenge, 74%, the vast majority of the people of Chicago, want us to challenge corporations to put more skin in the game. My question is this. Why would we not do something that the people of Chicago want us to do that we actually can do?

[8:36](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=516) That just makes sense in this moment. And so we're going to continue to have conversations. The door is always open. But the goal is to make sure that we're passing a budget. That's balanced. But it also has to challenge our efforts to ensure that we are driving violence down in this city. And that's ultimately what we are challenging corporations to help us do collectively. Hi, Mayor. How's it going? This is a question for Inside Climate News. I've been talking with Westside residents who are still dealing with mold and other issues from the 2023 flooding.

[9:10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=550) They've complained they still haven't gotten relief from the city. Alderman Irving told me today that there is going to be money for them. in this current budget. Can you tell me how much money is going to be there? Why is it taking so long to get this? And is there any interim relief for those residents? Well, we have provided interim relief along the way. This has been a very difficult moment for particularly Westsiders who have dealt with this unprecedented torrential rainfall

[9:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=581) that harmed a number of our families who live in my neighborhood. And the amount of time that it took really was based upon the federal government. And so, yes, this budget secures, I believe it's $426 million specifically to mitigate harm in the future. And there are direct resources. I'll have to get you that amount, but there is at least, I don't want to give you the wrong number, but there are dollars that are available to go directly towards helping these families recover their homes.

[10:19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=619) So it's both and. It's the mitigation of harm because there is some specificity around the usage of the grant, but we have provided a carve-out so that we can get dollars directly to people that's in this budget, and that's why I'm counting on the people who represent those very communities to support a budget that ensures that those dollars actually reach those families. Mark Armstrong, Chi Guardian, Deep South Press Corps, ready to make it really count. When will you account for detailed spending and organizing of the reparations task force sooner than later?

[10:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=653) Will you do that today, especially since my cauldron of sources are saying that the money for the task force is already spent? Well, the task force was formed this year. those dollars to ensure that the task force comes up with a comprehensive plan that ensures that our work to see how reparations could actually manifest in our city. Those efforts are already ongoing. What I would do, Casio, could you please talk to Carla Coupe to make sure that the account

[11:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=686) for the dollars that we've already spent thus far, that he gets that today, okay? it appears mayor that the alternative budget group has called your bluff on this meeting next week four meetings in a row that you did not want to happen why why didn't you want that don't you want to get a deal when did i say i didn't want it to happen well you're you're um someone that supports you alderman irvin tried to stop that vote but he's the budget director he works with city council

[11:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=716) to ensure that there's a schedule that works. So you're glad they're going to be meeting all next week and have a vote on the 23rd? I work every day, all day, for the most part. So I'm committed to making sure that we, you know, balance a budget, but that we do it not off the backs of working people. Good afternoon. I was just getting some pickled herring at the Chris Kendall market, and my vendor told me that capacity limits have been lifted this week and that they're no longer in place. Is that the case, and if so, why? Yeah, well, look, you know, there were some concerns that city departments and sister agencies had about making sure that, you know, ingress and egress, that that process was smooth to keep people safe.

[12:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=760) I intervened and made the adjustment, and now we're encouraging people to continue to participate at this incredible market. There's two more weeks, and there are no lines. It's a good thing. At this point, we've made the adjustments where there are no lines. Hey, Mayor. Hey. The counterproposal from Alderman Chair today lists video gambling terminals, legalizing them and taxing them as a part of their budget.

[13:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=793) Do you support that? Why? Why not? Do you think it's aggressive? Well, we're going to look at, you know, all of what has been proposed. You know, my team is going to scour through and look at some of the projections that, you know, some members of the city council have put forward. But I can tell you, though, you know, whether it's that particular revenue stream or others, it's evident from conversations that we've had that even individuals who signed on to the proposal

[13:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=827) have admitted that they don't support everything on the proposal, right? So this is going to be an ongoing conversation. This is something that's come up before in council. It has, right? And there was some consternation and some, you know, trepidation around it. So this is why, you know, we've been encouraging people for some time to put these ideas forward so that we're not cramming in discussions at the very last minute. But, you know, I guess there's probably hundreds of children or young people around the city who are cramming right now as they prepare for the paration of semesters.

[14:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=860) So I guess we're a part of that crew, too. Just to clarify, earlier... Earlier you said you do not support a budget with an increase to the garbage tax. I do not. And you would veto such a plan? Yep. Okay. And then on the – today it was DMP or deferred the hemp ban ordinance, although now it includes an exemption for THC beverages. Is that something – I know that you've been opposed. Is that something that you would veto if it gets approved?

[14:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=893) Well, you know, look, I guess that's the word of the day, Vito. I have not made that type of – I have not taken that position. What we have said from the very beginning, you know, banning sales for people under the age of 21 and having stronger regulation is important. I think we should, you know, pay closer attention to see what happens at the federal level before we move with, you know, too much haste. You know, we don't want to undermine our efforts. The ultimate goal is to have, you know, a product that is well regulated, but also, you know, understand that there will be, you know, a pathway for people to be able to, you know, engage in this product.

[15:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=933) We just want to make sure that we don't do anything that undermines the city of Chicago's ability to do that. Hi, Mayor. Hi. Ronnie Mosley came out today against, came out this week against hiking garbage fees. But he also says that one of his sticking points is restoring the full advance pension payment, as some other alders have indicated to us. I know you talked just this week about our lack of reserves as to why you can't. But do you think that these alders are overblowing the likelihood or the consequences of a credit downgrade as a result of that?

[16:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=967) Well, look, I don't know if I want to get into speculation around whether or not their intentions could be provocating in any direction. Right. Whether it's, you know, overstating a particular claim or maybe perhaps, you know, underestimating a claim. What I could say is this. I want to be able to provide the full payment as well of the advance pension payment. We're going to pay our pension. The desire has always been to add the additional payment so that we can move towards solvency quicker.

[16:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1003) Right. The the motivation behind the initial ordinance was based upon the economic climate that just doesn't exist anymore. So, you know, as much as we all would desire to have that additional advancement in the budget, there's not a real clear pathway from what I've heard from other alders of what an alternative would be to be able to achieve that. You know, so, again, I don't necessarily and I won't speculate, you know, what type of provocation or not exists in some of their motives.

[17:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1044) What I can say is we all agree that, you know, we have been, you know, in a very difficult place with our pensions for a very long time. As you all know, 80 percent of our property taxes are consumed by our pensions. So it's why this budget is important as we set ourselves up for continuous advocacy in Springfield to have the necessary revenue to be able to address not just pensions, but education, housing, health care, good-paying jobs, and, of course, we've already taken care of transportation, at least in this formation.

[17:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1079) You know, as far as, you know, rating agencies, I mean, again, I mean, what we have heard from them repeatedly is that, you know, They look at a whole bunch of factors, one of which is labor peace. We're the first administration since Richard M. Daley to actually move through an entire season without a labor stoppage. There's also ways in which we have shifted our budget to be more structural in nature, of which this budget, as I proposed it, is 60 percent structurally sound.

[18:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1113) And then, of course, you know, looking at future projections of how revenue streams are lining up with, you know, securing and creating solvency long term. So I believe those are all of the things that will continue to be factored. That's just one matter. Hi, Mayor. Point of clarification. You've said that you are ready to introduce your own budget. Do you have the option to... Take their proposal, do your own revisions, and then resubmit something for consideration for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

[19:04](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1144) Could you restate your clarifying question again? Do you have the option to revise their proposal and introduce something next week on your own? Oh, I see what you're saying, right, because I've already presented my budget, right? So this is where, you know, we're having some level of, you know, debate. And let me just also say I do appreciate the engagement with the people of Chicago. The community has been, you know, quite vocal around their position, around how they are supportive of the protecting Chicago budget.

[19:37](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1177) Yeah, there's time for me to take a deeper look at some of those proposals and then determine whether or not if there's agreement around those proposals, There could be a variety of ways in which we approach this. It could be something that I introduce, but it could be something that they introduce. I have encouraged them to introduce amendments that they support, right? It's the legislative responsibility and opportunity, right?

[20:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1207) So they don't necessarily have to wait on me to submit an amendment. Not on my question. the um they've requested once again for you to actually engage in negotiations do you think at any point it would be helpful for you to personally get in the room to have the negotiations to maybe make a budget deal happen i am in the room personally well i mean you sent your team in before and that was the big discussion that was just that was one meeting is what i'm saying they would like to see you at the actual table with them to have okay so let me just offer it

[20:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1239) one more time, okay? Because that was one meeting, Craig. That was one meeting. I have been in multiple rooms with multiple alders throughout this entire process, all right? The negotiation did not start on Saturday, right? So, and listen, you all foil me all the time. You're going to see the calendar yourselves, right? One-on-one meetings, group meetings, you know, phone calls. my door is wide open my phone number has not changed and it's not going to change

[21:12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1272) and what I've said over and over again not only am I available my team is available on that particular meeting that one meeting my team took the responsibility to engage with them and kept me apprised all day because guess what there were still stops for me to make on that day There's still a schedule that I have. And so with all of those things that I'm responsible to do as mayor, I still availed myself to be available on the phone, to receive text messages that you all enjoy foiling, right?

[21:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1307) And I literally had two more meetings today with two more alders. So this is not a matter of not whether or not Mayor Brandon Johnson is available. Ask my kids how available I am to this city. You're welcome. Hey, Mayor. Hey. Alderman Andre Vasquez introduced a substitute management ordinance today that in part calls for the city council to get more resources to do their own independent budget inquiries similar to what this alternative budget proposal is, looking to get more data and substantiate it.

[22:21](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1341) Is that something that you support in order to make the council more of an effective collaborator in this process? I have not looked at what he has proposed. You know, if it's a resource question, then you know how that is going to carry out, right? So, you know, look, we have made ourselves available to the full city council, to individuals, to the community as a whole. You know, that's why I worked hard to do community roundtables. I don't think it should just live, you know, with the responsibility of city council members to be able to effectively engage with the budget process.

[22:59](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1379) That's why we've had roundtables. The Ernst & Young was another example of bringing more people in so that we could have an effective government. I've said from the very beginning that the government that I inherited, it's not going to be our grandparents' government that we pass on. I believe that there are opportunities to have stronger engagement, and I'm very much committed to this process. And, you know, I've been a legislator. I've worked as a Cook County Commissioner, passed and worked with multiple budgets within the executive branch. And, you know, I think that there is always room to strengthen and sharpen our approach to collaboration.

[23:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1412) That's why I've worked hard to create a community process as well. It's not just within the halls of power where decisions should be made. In fact, I believe that the greatest power is with the people. That's why it's a little fascinating to me, quite frankly, that the people of Chicago agree that corporations should put more skin in the game. You know, you don't see too many moments where the entire city of Chicago. essentially is in agreement over a particular matter and so again we've seen numbers as low as 74 percent numbers as high as 80 percent where there's a collective belief that these big

[24:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1447) corporations that received a tax break from donald trump should put more skin in the game so i i don't think it's just about resources for city for city government it's really about how do we make sure that we're responding to the will of the people how's it going mayor johnson it's going pretty well thank you for asking uh during uh a conversation uh after the council meeting some alders said that comptroller belsky had made a number of suggestions in that saturday meeting based on around additional things the city could do based on the ey report and some other stuff

[24:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1479) um was he making those suggestions uh did he run those by you has he talked to you about them are you on board with those? So we have had those conversations and of course, you know, that he ran them by me. What they're referencing, possibly, it's a couple of things. 50%, I believe, of the recommendations that have come out of their Ernst & Young report where we've implemented. What he was likely referencing, and I would have to just make sure that I'm clear

[25:15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1515) about what they were referencing, because I don't want to draw a conclusion or assume, but I can draw this conclusion, that there are a number of things that we will do in future budgets, that this process takes time. We're talking about an incredibly antiquated system that we are dealing with with government. And modernizing this structure is going to take us some time. Now, I actually think that implementing half of any recommendations is an impressive, quite frankly,

[25:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1551) an aggressive approach towards any decision making, particularly as it relates to how we do government, right? So he likely was speaking of ideas that will be implemented over time. So, yes, there are a lot of good ideas out of there. I think the best idea was when I signed the executive order to commission the gathering in the first place. Hey there. Hey. Based on the developments of today, since we talked to you 24 hours ago, do you believe that a final budget will be passed by the end of the year? It has to be, right?

[26:22](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1582) You know, look, I'm going to do everything that I can to avoid the chaos that, quite frankly, there are some individuals that want chaos to occur. because those interests benefit from chaos and they would pit communities against one another to fulfill their political goal.

[26:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1613) I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid that type of chaos because nobody benefits from that except for the handful of people who have become accustomed to controlling and dominating government. And by the way, when it was their turn to dominate and run government, Schools were closed. Mental health clinics were closed. Public housing was shuttered. The increase of fines and fees. Property taxes went up considerably over the course of multiple years in a row.

[27:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1645) We saw the exodus of working people in our city. They thrive, those interests thrive in chaos. Because they don't have a moral obligation and responsibility like those of us who are charged to serve and to protect residents. That's not their motive. Their motive is the bottom line, how they can get richer.

[28:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1680) And if it means fomenting chaos and sowing seeds of division, then that's what they'll do. And you know the playbook that they're using? It's from Donald Trump. That's his MO. Create chaos, fear, terror. You know, because I don't engage in social media and television, I spend time reading and praying and wishing upon stars sometimes. You know, but I've heard that there is this claim that somehow having 18 million dollars that we would secure from the community safety surcharge to go back into smaller businesses and particularly black owned businesses is some sort of nefarious operation.

[28:50](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1730) That's they're literally characterizing these resources. that we would use to not only build safer communities, but use those same resources to help grow and support businesses, and particularly minority-owned businesses. That's their claim. They are immoral. They are wicked. And it's well past time that the people of Chicago actually know

[29:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1763) and see who these individuals are, know who they are. They do not mean us well. I'm one of 57. There will be more after me. But these individuals imbibe the very caveat that Justice Brandeis warned us of. Democracy or the ultra-wealth controlling? You cannot have both. I'm fighting hard every day to protect our democracy,

[29:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8?t=1793) whether that's attacks coming from the federal government or cowardly individuals that are trying to confuse working people in this city. People over profit. Ensuring that working people know that they have a mayor who's fighting for them. That's what this moment is about. So look forward to the ongoing conversation to make sure that we have a budget that is balanced but that we don't sacrifice working people and poor people as a result of it. Thank you all very much for your time.

Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/mayor/videos/2jNnlPbm5A8 · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt