Mayor Brandon Johnson, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement and the Office of Budget and Management, has announced the launch of Chicago's 2026 Budget Engagement Roundtable events. These events are designed to incorporate public input into shaping city services through a series of meetings focused on collaboration and transparency.
Chicago is facing a challenging budget season with a $1 billion shortfall before potential federal cuts. The roundtables aim to gather feedback from residents on which services should be prioritized and where spending adjustments can be made. "Our City works best when the people of Chicago and their input is placed front and center in our decision-making," said Mayor Johnson. He emphasized the importance of equity and transparency in shaping the city's budget.
This year marks the third year of this engagement strategy, developed in partnership with the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago. It focuses on equity, education, and community collaboration based on previous cycles' input.
Budget Director Annette Guzman stated, “We’re entering a budget season unlike any the City has experienced.” She highlighted that understanding residents’ priorities is crucial for strategic budgeting decisions.
The four roundtable events will occur before departments submit their budget requests, allowing for direct incorporation of community feedback. During last year's sessions, residents prioritized youth job creation, environmental justice investments, and expanded mental health services—reflected in the FY2025 budget.
After this year's events conclude, a public report summarizing findings will be published alongside the FY2026 Executive Budget Recommendation. Residents are encouraged to participate via an online portal or by attending live-streamed events available with ASL interpretation.
The scheduled roundtables include three general public meetings and one specifically for youth aged 13-24 across various locations in Chicago. Each event includes a City Resource Fair offering information about city services.