Budget Review Ordinance

BUDGET REVIEW ORDINANCE WHEREAS, The City of Chicago Full Budget totals $5.9 billion dollars in 2009 and the residents of the City of Chicago need to have a a better understanding of revenues and expenditures in light of repeated budget shortfalls; WHEREAS, It is the tradition that the Mayor presents the annual Budget Address in October along with a draft budget which is followed about a week later with two weeks of budget hearings; and WHEREAS, These budget hearings are the only opportunity for the City Council to evaluate, review and analyze the current and proposed budgets; and WHEREAS, The public and City Council have recently expressed concern over the amount of time and information available to review Asset Lease contracts, such as the Parking Meter contract, and WHEREAS,The City of Chicago is committed to promoting transparency, openness and accountability in government; and WHEREAS, Achievement of these laudable goals will be greatly enhanced if essential documents pertaining to the City Budget are presented in sufficient detail to allow reasonable evaluation, review and analysis of the current budget and the proposed 2010 Budget; and WHEREAS, The City Council needs sufficient time to responsibly review and analyze the Budget documents prior to holding scheduled hearings on the 2010 Budget; now, therefore, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO SECTION I. The above recitals are expressly incorporated herein and made a part of this ordinance. SECTION 2. Section 2 of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago is hereby amended by inserting the language underscored, as follows: The Mayor or his designated representative shall provide the City Council with a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, including a complete 9 month budget reconciliation, not less than 4 weeks prior to the first scheduled budget hearing of the City Council. All documents provided shall also be made available on the City of Chicago website in a searchable format within 7 days of their release in printed form. SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take full force and effect immediately upon passage and final signature.

1

BUDGET REVIEW ORDINANCE _________________________________ Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward

________________________________

_____________________________ Toni Preckwinkle Alderman, 4th Ward

_____________________________

Manuel Flores

Ricardo Munoz

Alderman, 1st Ward

Alderman, 22nd Ward

________________________________

_____________________________

Scott Waguespack Alderman, 32nd Ward ________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________

________________________________

_____________________________ 2