Chicago presents balanced budget for 2014
Mayor Rahm Emanuel today presented the proposed 2014 budget to the City Council, an .7 billion budget that balances the city’s finances without introducing new property, sales or gasoline taxes.
Mayor Emanuel Presents Balanced 2014 Budget Proposal To City Council
- $13 million in afterschool opportunities for nearly 16,000 kids. This represents a 25 percent increase in funding since Mayor Emanuel took office in 2011, more than making up cuts in federal funding and allowing the City to serve 3,000 more children.
- $14.5 million in summer jobs for more than 12,000 youth, more than doubling the number of children served by City-funded programs since 2011.
- $11 million in early education opportunities, part of a three-year, $36 million investment announced last year that will provide early education to 5,000 kids.
- Increasing funding for graffiti removal, rodent control, tree trimming, tree removal and tree planting.
- Expanding the microlending initiative in partnership with the City Treasurer’s Office to help support 300 businesses by 2016.
- Launching a pilot program that will pay out Earned Income Tax Credit in advanced quarterly payments. This will provide an option for families who need money before tax season to make ends meet, rather than going to a predatory lender. The program will serve 500 working families.
- Adding seven new Family Net Centers to provide residents with training in technology skills such as using email, online banking, online research, and accessing government services.
- Funding for the Chicago Police Department to hire officers to remain at full strength at all times.
- Expanding CAPS’ focus on youth and upgrading the CAPS communication strategy with a citywide tool kit to help groups self-organize around public safety issues.
