SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson was in Springfield Wednesday lobbying the governor and leading lawmakers for funding for Chicago.
The visit came with just one month left in the session amidst some criticism from lawmakers that this visit might be a little too late.
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Mayor Johnson arrived at the State Capitol just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning for a series of important meetings about funding that he has put on his priority ask list for this session.
The mayor called his requests modest, but the state is facing its own budget constraints this visit.
“We do know that there are budget challenges all over the country; so, this is not unique to the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago. What we have put forth, we believe is a reasonable presentation that gets us a step closer to solving critical issues that we have,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s asks have a lot to do with trying to maintain the funding the city was already counting on.
“Some of the priorities this year’s budget that we plan to discuss: the telecommunications tax amendment, the 911 surcharge extension, the One System Initiative funding and the Illinois State Board of Education mandated categories,” Johnson said.
The mayor’s first meeting behind closed doors was with Gov. JB Pritzker.
SEE MORE: Mayor Johnson hosts reception for Chicago delegation ahead of key budget meetings in Springfield
About an hour later, the mayor met with Senate President Don Harmon for just over 10 minutes.
From there, it was on to a meeting with House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in his office on the other side of the Capitol. With the state facing its own fiscal challenges, the mayor is moderating his expectations.
“I always appreciate the opportunity to speak with Mayor Johnson about Chicago’s priorities-many of which are already part of the ongoing conversations happening in the Capitol. Chicago is an economic and cultural engine for our state; when Chicago succeeds, we all succeed. It’s clear that the Trump Administration sees Chicago and Illinois as a top target of their cruel and chaotic agenda, so it’s critical that the leaders of our state maintain an open dialogue about how we keep Illinois moving in a better direction,” Welch said in a statement.
Johnson’s visit with Welch came during a week when scores of other politicians and organizations are scrapping for their share of the state revenue pie.
And while the mayor’s team has had ongoing discussion with lawmakers, some are critical of this visit coming so late in the session.
“I think it, again, is indicative of the ineptitude and the ineffectiveness of the mayor and the entire fifth floor, those asks. Again, I don’t think they’re minimal at all. And the fact that he’s coming down, we have 20 legislative days, just again shows he’s not ready to lead,” said Democratic state Rep. Curtis Tarver, assistant majority leader. Tarver represents southeast Chicago.
The mayor’s time at the Capitol was brief, as he had an unrelated ribbon cutting outside Springfield at 11 a.m., and then needed to be back in Chicago for a 3 p.m. event.
The visit lasted less than two and a half hours.
The effectiveness of this visit won’t be known until the end of session.
“I think there are some things that we can do as a legislature to help our biggest city. And when you look at the very specific asks that have been put on the table, some of those are actually already in the governor’s proposed budget,” said Democratic state Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, who represents the Northwest Side of Chicago.
Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner, who represents Chicago and is speaker pro temp, said he wants the relationship between the state Capitol and Chicago to improve.
“We want the relationship with Springfield to improve because, at the end of the day, that’s better for the people that we serve. So hoping that this can be a step forward, but I will admit that, 19 days left in the session, it’s pretty late,” Buckner said.
State budgets tend to remain very fluid, until they’re finalized.
But the x-factor for state lawmakers and the mayor is what happens in Washington, and if any federal funds will get cut off.
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