The Chicago city council recently approved Mayor Brandon Johnson's FY24 budget with a 41-8 vote. Totaling $16.77 billion, the budget will allocate funds to priority areas such as public safety and mental health care, along with investments in the youth of the city. The budget has been dubbed 'The People's Budget' due to its focus on addressing core needs of the populace without increasing property taxes.

The city of Chicago approved the allocation of funds strategically across several key areas. In public safety, the budget invests over $100 million in anti-violence programming, restorative justice, gender-based violence prevention, and intervention, with a new Office of Re-entry established. Significant investments in mental health care include over $66 million for expanding staff and reopening facilities, setting the foundation for the Treatment Not Trauma ordinance. The budget dedicates more than $76 million to youth jobs and programming, over $1 billion for infrastructure improvements, and substantial investments in crisis management, homelessness response, climate justice, and equity initiatives, all without increasing property taxes according to a press release by the city of Chicago.

In expressing his approval for this ground-breaking fiscal plan Mayor Johnson shared his sentiments on what this means for the future direction of Chicago.

"I am proud to pass the People’s Budget – a budget based on our values that is not balanced on the backs of working people and working families," said Mayor Johnson according to a press release by the city of Chicago. "I have long said that where your treasure is there your heart will be also. From making historic investments in our young people to making critical investments in mental health care and public safety, this budget is close to the heart and soul of who we are, and what we represent as a city."

Meanwhile, Annette Guzman, the city's Budget Director, praised the balanced approach taken by the mayor with regard to fiscal responsibility and community investment.

"The mayor made it clear that he wanted a budget that addresses the needs of disinvested communities while committing to fiscal responsibility," said city of Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman according to a press release by the city of Chicago. "This budget delivers on both of those priorities while setting the City on the right path for transformational investments in the future."