(The Center Square) – Chicago’s city council has approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $830 million bond issue.
By a vote of 26 to 23, aldermen said “yes” to the mayor’s plan to borrow the money for capital projects.
Alderman and Vice Mayor Walter Burnett Jr. warned of dire consequences if the bond deal didn’t pass.
“Putting off these investments will only cost more in the long term. Potholes will grow bigger, vacant buildings will catch on fire, light poles will fall and bridges could deteriorate beyond repair,” Burnett said.
Alderman Anthony Beale voted against the latest round of borrowing.
“The fact that we are not paying on this bond for two years, until after the next election, poses a problem. The fact that we’re not paying on principal for 20 years and having a huge balloon payment is a problem,” Beale said.
After the vote, Johnson released a statement.
“I made a promise to invest in people and this bond takes us another step forward. We need to put our people to work rebuilding our city. Today, the city council voted for critical investment into our communities that will be felt for generations to come. We will always prioritize the needs of everyday Chicagoans over politics,” Johnson stated.
Before aldermen debated and the city council voted, several Chicago residents gave city leaders an earful of criticism over the latest round of borrowing and other issues.
Mario Phillips spoke during the public comment period and expressed his opposition to the bond issue. Phillips suggested that the mayor accept a potential deal from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.
“If they would propose to you, ‘We’ll give you $20 billion to rescind the sanctuary city status,’ would you rescind it? Because $20 billion can be used a lot,” Phillips said.
Chicago resident Osiris King wore a “Make America Great Again” helmet and said Black people are against illegal immigration.
“Do not forget that we in Chicago do not support sanctuary cities, especially the people who live on the South and West Side who had our schools turned into migrant shelters. And for all the people who are mad about [President Donald Trump] getting rid of [diversity, equity and inclusion] and critical race theory, those things were racist. You cannot fight past discrimination with future discrimination,” King said.
Alderman Brendan Reilly moved to postpone voting on the bond issue until May. The council vote deadlocked on Reilly’s motion, 25-25, and Mayor Johnson’s tie-breaking vote prevented the bond issue from being delayed.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for March 12.