Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago is taking a modest wish list to Springfield amid significant financial challenges across the city, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
With only five weeks left in the spring legislative session, Johnson’s proposals include reviving a tax on prepaid cellphones and calling cards, extending the existing $5-a-month 911 surcharge, and increasing funding for the city’s unified shelter system.
Additionally, he aims to improve reimbursement rates for transportation, bilingual education, and special education services provided by CPS.
Despite campaigning on a platform that promised to raise taxes on businesses and wealthy residents by $800 million, Johnson’s current legislative agenda appears relatively modest.
Some experts warn that even these proposals may be difficult to realize, reflecting Johnson’s limited progress in Springfield thus far.
To date, Johnson has succeeded in persuading Illinois Senate President Don Harmon not to hold a vote on a bill that could have extended a moratorium on public school closings, potentially safeguarding Chicago’s selective-enrollment, magnet, and charter schools from significant changes.
The relationship between Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker remains tense, as the governor also navigates a substantial multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
Furthermore, the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs has faced ongoing turbulence and turnover, complicating efforts to advance city priorities in the state legislature.
State Rep. Anna Moeller expressed concerns about the timing of Johnson’s requests, stating, ‘Chicago is very important to the state, but we have a lot of needs.
We have to weigh all of them as we decide our budget.’
Johnson is slated to meet with Pritzker, Harmon, and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on Wednesday to discuss his proposals.
Alderman Marty Quinn criticized Johnson’s current performance in Springfield, suggesting that his lack of initiative amounts to ‘malfeasance.’
Quinn noted, ‘He hasn’t put in the time.
He hasn’t sold his agenda — not only to the governor, but … to the leaders.’
Quinn emphasized the need for a well-executed outreach effort, adding that a casual approach would not yield results.
Pritzker himself has expressed frustration regarding the Johnson administration’s lack of essential relationships in Springfield, citing a need for more outreach from the mayor’s team.
The governor’s comments hinted at a cold war between the two, as he elaborated on the budget timeline by stating, ‘It’ll be hard for us to talk about things in the current budget.’
He suggested that some adjustments might be made for Chicago, but emphasized that budget discussions occur primarily in the latter half of the prior year.
Comparing Johnson’s approach to that of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Quinn asserted that Emanuel’s success stemmed from a distinct strategy and a well-developed agenda.
Quinn recalled that Emanuel made only one trip to Springfield during his eight-year tenure but was able to build relationships through phone calls and private meetings.
Emanuel’s efforts led to significant funding for various projects, including the CTA’s Red Line Modernization Project and major school funding reforms.
In contrast, Johnson has reportedly lost key personnel from his team, further exacerbating challenges in securing support for his administration’s agenda.
One such loss was Mike Ciaccio, who possessed valuable institutional knowledge and experience stemming from his previous roles in both the budget department and as a lobbyist.
Former Alderman John Arena, now serving as Johnson’s Springfield lobbyist, has drawn criticism from some politicians due to past political conflicts during his time in the City Council.
Despite the challenges, state Rep. Kam Buckner expressed optimism regarding the 911 surcharge extension, noting his prior advocacy on the issue.
However, Buckner dismissed the likelihood of action on a new domed stadium for the Bears, whether in Chicago or Arlington Heights.
When asked about Johnson’s efforts in Springfield, Buckner acknowledged the difficulties but expressed hope for improvement in the future.
He remarked, ‘I don’t know why the first two years for him have been rocky with the state Capitol, but I hope that it can change.’
Buckner suggested that transparent and direct communication could be a key factor in breaking Johnson’s current pattern of disappointments in legislative dealings.
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