Budget hearings resume Wednesday: 911, libraries, housing and police oversight are up next. What members asked last year

After a pause for Election Day, the City Council's budget hearings resume Wednesday with five more days of City departments defending their shares of Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed $17.6 billion 2027 budget. The Committee on Budget and Government Operations meets at 9:30 a.m. each day in the Council Chamber, according to its amended schedule.

Why it matters: this second half covers the departments residents deal with most directly after police and streets: 911, fire and ambulances, libraries, homeless services, housing, business licenses and the agencies that oversee police. The Council has until Dec. 31 to pass a budget, and the head tax and other revenue pieces are still in dispute. Members now also face a new $75 million gap: on Monday the Council voted 44 to 6 to send the parking meter payment the Mayor's plan counted on to pensions this year instead (our story).

The hearings so far covered the budget office, police, public health, transportation, streets and sanitation and others. Our coverage includes police overspending, borrowing for police settlements and ward "menu" money.

The schedule, and what members asked last year

The same committee questioned the same departments on the 2026 budget a year ago. Our meeting notes show the issues that may come back.

Wed., Nov. 4: Planning and Development, Housing, Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Last year, Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) asked why some business license fees would double or quadruple, citing small businesses and empty storefronts (watch). Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) said affordable housing rehab costs were approaching $1 million a unit and asked how the Department of Housing keeps costs down (watch). Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) asked why businesses that are repeatedly closed for problems keep their licenses (watch). This year, festival food safety is likely to come up after a WBEZ and Sun-Times investigation of the Taste of Chicago.

Thu., Nov. 5: Fire, Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), Animal Care and Control, Office of Public Safety Administration, Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Last year, Lee raised reports of residents calling 911 and getting no answer, and asked what data exists on unanswered calls (watch). Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) asked what accountability the City had applied to the vendor of the delayed 911 dispatch system (watch). Ald. Bill Conway (34th) asked why the timeline for restoring gunshot detection had changed (watch). This year the City has started its own gunshot detection pilot, and voters see an advisory question on it today.

Fri., Nov. 6: City Clerk, People with Disabilities, Family and Support Services, Human Relations, Public Library. Last year, Lee asked about a roughly 43% cut in gender-based violence funding and whether there was a backup plan (watch). Ald. Maria Hadden (49th) said homeless services need dedicated funding (watch). Conway asked what was cut when the disability office's budget fell by about a third (watch). On the library, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) asked why its budget fell only $2 million while 69 positions were eliminated (watch).

Mon., Nov. 9: Treasurer, Human Resources, Administrative Hearings, Procurement Services, Board of Elections. Last year, Lee asked how Smart Streets camera tickets are judged and what defenses are accepted (watch), a question that matters more now that the camera program is expanding. Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) asked why election judges wait four to six weeks to be paid (watch).

Tue., Nov. 10: Liquor Control, Police Board, Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, Board of Ethics, Inspector General, Law. Last year, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) asked what recourse exists when a mayor declines the Inspector General's recommendation to discipline someone (watch). Lopez said the Council hadn't acted on the Board of Ethics' recommended reforms (watch). Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) asked about the long-term cost of borrowing to pay lawsuit settlements (watch).

How to follow

Public comment opens each hearing. Each meeting page above will carry video, a searchable transcript and our notes after the hearing.

What's next

• Nov. 4 to 10: the remaining department hearings.
• Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m.: the Council's formal public hearing on the budget, set by R2026-0029546.
• By Dec. 31: the Council must pass a 2027 budget.

Sources: Chicago Politics: O2026-0029681, parking meter payments to pension funds.