Your 2027 budget
The Corporate Fund, the city's main operating budget, starts $918.5 million short in 2027: the $882.4 million the city forecast in August, plus $36.1 million in costs it found before the Mayor's October proposal (City of Chicago, 2027 Budget Forecast and Overview). By law the budget must balance. Pick what to raise, cut or borrow on the left.
What it costs you
A rough yearly estimate for one household, from the choices on the left.
Would it pass?
A budget needs 26 of 50 votes in the City Council.
Loading how alderpeople voted on recent budgets…
The next two years
The city's own forecast says the gap keeps growing. One-time money doesn't help next year; lasting fixes do.
What the rating agencies would notice
Chicago's bonds sit one to three steps above junk, and three of four agencies have negative outlooks. Lower ratings mean more interest on every dollar the city borrows.
| Agency | Rating | Steps above junk | Outlook | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S&P | BBB | 2 | Negative | Cut Jan. 2025 |
| Fitch | BBB+ | 3 | Negative | Cut Feb. 2026 |
| KBRA | BBB+ | 3 | Negative | Cut Feb. 2026 |
| Moody's | Baa3 | 1 | Stable | Affirmed Sept. 2025 |
KBRA publishes its full report free; S&P, Fitch and Moody's reports need a subscription, so their names link to news coverage. Ratings as of the city's March 2026 bond sale. The City Council's own budget office explains the February 2026 cuts in a short free analysis.
Missions
Balance it, then try it the hard way.
Where the money goes
The proposed 2027 Corporate Fund, $6.5 billion. Gray bars are costs the city can't cut this year: pensions owed under state law, debt, and health care for workers.
Compare departments
Every department's budget since 2011, from the city's budget data.
How Chicago got here
What the City Council passed each year since 2011, from the city's own budget data. 2027 is the Mayor's proposal.