Collected and spent
In fiscal year 2024, Chicago collected $1,980.9M in taxes and spent $13.8B.
Where the money comes from
Two taxes.
Details
City of Chicago Department of Finance — Municipal Sales Tax (1.25% city home-rule portion of 10.25% combined Chicago rate)Where it goes
Eleven service lines.
Show all 11 linesShow fewer lines
Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.
Details
City of Chicago Open Data Portal — 2024 Budget Ordinance Appropriations + Budget Recommendations Revenue (Socrata datasets x394-e874 + at79-usba)Who decides
Each year the Mayor sends a budget plan to the Council by October 15. The Council is the Mayor, the City Clerk, and 50 alderpersons, one from each ward. The Council holds hearings on the plan. At least one hearing is open to the public. The Council must approve a balanced budget by December 31. The budget takes effect in January.
Mayor · 1 seat
All up for election February 23, 2027City Council · 50 seats
All up for election February 23, 2027When decisions happen
City departments send early cost estimates in June. The city shares its financial outlook in July. Departments refine requests in August and September. The public can weigh in then too. The Mayor proposes a full budget by October 15. The Council holds hearings, including one open to the public. It must pass a balanced budget by December 31. The new budget starts in January.
How to reach it
Email written comment straight to the City Council on any agenda item. Call 311 for non-emergency city help. Look up your own ward and alderperson online. You can also sign up to speak, in person or by phone, at a City Council or committee meeting.
Details
City of Chicago — Budget Calendar (Office of Budget and Management)Also on this tax bill
A Chicago address pays these governments too. Which counties and special districts apply depends on the address.
On every bill in Chicago
On some bills, depending on the address
Counties: 2
Special districts: 1
Sources
Details
City of Chicago Open Data Portal — 2024 Budget Ordinance Appropriations + Budget Recommendations Revenue (Socrata datasets x394-e874 + at79-usba)Details
City of Chicago Open Data Portal — 2024 Budget Ordinance Appropriations + Budget Recommendations Revenue (Socrata datasets x394-e874 + at79-usba)Details
City of Chicago Department of Finance — Municipal Sales Tax (1.25% city home-rule portion of 10.25% combined Chicago rate)Details
City of Chicago — Budget Calendar (Office of Budget and Management)To act on what you have read
Who Taxes Me describes. These three tools, made by the same team, are where you can do something about it. Each opens in a new tab.