Back in November of 2011, the City Council unanimously voted in favor of the 2012 Chicago Budget. The budget plan of $8.2 billion cut spending and increased efficiencies without raising property or sales taxes, therefore filling a $635.7 million budget deficit. Citizens contributed their voice to the creative process, with 3,100 participating on the City of Chicago 2012 Budget Ideas website sharing ideas, comments, and votes in order to build an honest budget. Although the budget has already been approved, the website is still up, so you can view the conversation on budget ideas submitted by residents, answers to the questions submitted to Mayor Emanuel’s two public town hall discussions, and 2012 budget resources (including the budge overview, the budge ordinance, and Mayor Emanuel’s remarks).
By the Numbers:
The Website
3,100+
Number of people who posted ideas, comments, and votes on the budget website.
2,500+
Number of ideas received about the budget.
70,000
Number of votes or comments responding to posted ideas.
1,000+
Number of people in attendance at Mayor Emanuel’s two budget town hall meetings.
130
Number of ideas submitted by Chicagoans reflected in the 2012 budget.
The Budget
8.2 billion
Amount in dollars of the 2012 Budget for Chicago. This number fills a $635.7 million budget deficit.
50-0
Number of City Council members who voted in support of the budget plan.
406 million
Amount in dollars expressing how much taxpayers will save through reforms and efficiencies.
18,000
Number of jobs to be created over the next 10 years through the New Infrasturcture initiative.
20 million
Amount in dollars returned to the City's Rainy Day Fund.
