CHICAGO () — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration said Monday that Budget Director Annette Guzman is stepping down from her role at City Hall.
Her departure marks the second exit from the city’s top financial ranks in just days, landing at a sensitive moment as Chicago moves toward its pivotal fall budget season. Guzman follows Chief Financial Officer Steven Mahr, whose final day with the city was last Friday.
Turnover at City Hall is not unusual, but Guzman’s exit carries added weight. She is leaving public service after a decade with the city, preceded by senior financial posts at Cook County. Her decision means Johnson is losing another seasoned fiscal manager as his administration confronts budget pressures and a mayoral election approaches in six months.
The mayor’s office said Guzman is departing to spend more time with her family.
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“It has been an honor to serve under Mayor Johnson’s leadership,” Guzman said in a statement released by the mayor’s office, adding that she was proud “to support an administration that is committed to standing up for working residents and advancing a vision for a safer, more affordable Chicago.”
Guzman was recently visible in her role, attending a budget committee hearing last month.
Her resignation comes shortly after the mayor’s finance team delivered a difficult midyear budget update, with Chicago facing a projected shortfall of nearly $100 million.
The timing is also notable because Chicago is set to host investors this month while the city’s bonds remain close to junk status. Jonathan Ernst, Guzman’s deputy, will serve as acting budget director.
The mayor will be expected to explain what’s going on with his budget team on Tuesday.
