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Chicago Council Passes Controversial $16.6B Budget Amid Deficit Risks

12/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Chicago City Council passed an alternative budget for 2026 on December 20, 2025.
The $16.6 billion plan avoids a corporate head tax and includes legalizing video gambling and selling city debt to collectors.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says the budget is unbalanced and could create a $163 million deficit, and he has until Christmas to decide on a veto, with a December 30 shutdown risk.

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Story summary

The Chicago City Council passed an alternative budget for 2026 on December 20, 2025.
The $16.6 billion plan avoids a corporate head tax and includes legalizing video gambling and selling city debt to collectors.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says the budget is unbalanced and could create a $163 million deficit, and he has until Christmas to decide on a veto, with a December 30 shutdown risk.