(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing for more public education money from Springfield while dodging questions about the legality of the Chicago Public Schools budget.
After his office released a statement on Monday night saying that city budget director Annette Guzman was stepping away to care for her family, Johnson confirmed during a press briefing at City Hall on Tuesday that Guzman resigned permanently.
Acting chief financial officer Steven Mahr left last week, about six months after previous CFO Jill Jaworski stepped down.
The mayor was asked how he is bracing for the upcoming budget season without continuity.
“We do have continuity. I’m the continuity, right, it’s not just one person in one particular position. I hire people, bring people in who can carry out my mission and vision. There will be others who can carry out that mission and vision,” Johnson said.
Johnson said what is most constant is his presence, and he promised he would have a draft budget for 2027 ready in October.
The city is facing a projected $130 million deficit this year for the $16.7 billion budget for 2026 passed by city council last December.
Last week, the Chicago Board of Education eliminated a projected $732.5 million deficit by passing a $9.96 billion Chicago Public Schools budget that includes $435 million in unallocated funds from the city and state.
When a reporter asked Johnson if it was legal under Illinois law for the board to pass the budget with uncommitted funds, the mayor pushed for the state to comply with its own legislation to fund education.
“From the 2017 law that Springfield put forward, they made a commitment to fully fund our schools, and that just has to happen,” Johnson said.
The mayor did not answer when asked again about the legality of the CPS budget, which includes $150 million in unrealized state money.
Johnson said he is having a tough time with the idea that it’s harder to do something in Springfield than it is in city council.
“Why aren’t we asking, if the city is not able to do it, will the state do it? It’s like it’s only coming in one direction,” Johnson said.
Johnson said California, New York and Pennsylvania do a better job of funding public schools than Illinois does.
Sean Reed contributed to this story
