Johnson freezes all city hiring in effort to close nearly $1B budget gap

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Brandon Johnson has officially imposed a citywide hiring freeze to help close the nearly $1 billion budget gap forecast for 2025.

In a written statement, Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman said the city is taking immediate steps to address anticipated budget gaps of $223 million for the rest of 2024 and $982 million for the fiscal year of 2025. Guzman said those steps will include a citywide hiring freeze, as well as restrictions on travel and overtime outside of public safety operations.

The hiring freeze apparently includes the Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Police Department — a move that is not popular with leaders like Far South Side Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th).

“I’d be very concerned if there was ever any discussion about cutting back on hiring of the police department,” he said. “We are woefully understaffed. At a time when we’re talking about removing one of the most valuable tools law enforcement has, and that’s ShotSpotter.”

The contract for that controversial gunshot detection system runs out in about two weeks.

Southwest Side Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th), a mayoral ally, said Johnson is doing what’s best.

“Well I think it’s important that the city looks for every resource to make sure that we balance the budget without sacrificing important services for the city and, especially, not burdening working class families across the city that are already struggling to make ends meet,” Sigcho Lopez said.

In general, the alderpersons seem against raising property taxes.

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