Chicago City Hall Custodians Laid Off Amid Budget Dispute

Mayor Brandon Johnson blames new city budget for layoffs, but council members push back

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:47pm

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Nine of the 21 custodians employed at Chicago's City Hall have received layoff notices, with Mayor Brandon Johnson blaming the notices on the city's new budget. However, some members of the City Council have accused Johnson of scapegoating the council in the battle over how Chicago is allocating its funding.

Why it matters

The layoffs of City Hall custodians highlight the ongoing political tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council over the city's budget priorities. The dispute raises questions about the impact of budget decisions on low-wage workers and the city's ability to maintain essential services.

The details

The layoff notices were sent by A & R Janitorial Service, the company that employs the City Hall custodians. The company informed workers that they will be out of a job starting on February 13. Juan Ramirez, a custodian who has worked at City Hall for over 20 years, expressed concern about the impact on his family's mortgage and health insurance. Ald. Gilbert Villegas criticized the mayor for 'picking on the smallest of the small companies' and 'the lowest of the lowest paid' workers.

  • Layoff notices were sent to 9 of the 21 City Hall custodians in recent days.
  • The layoffs are scheduled to take effect on February 13, 2026.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago, who has blamed the city's new budget for the layoff notices sent to City Hall custodians.

A & R Janitorial Service

The company that employs the City Hall custodians and sent out the layoff notices.

Juan Ramirez

A City Hall custodian who has worked at the building for over 20 years and is concerned about the impact of the layoffs on his family.

Gilbert Villegas

A Chicago City Council member who criticized the mayor for 'picking on the smallest of the small companies' and 'the lowest of the lowest paid' workers.

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What they’re saying

“He's worried about the mortgage and the insurance for his wife, and he doesn't know what he's going to do right now.”

— Juan Ramirez, City Hall custodian (NBC Chicago)

“These are the smallest of the small companies, and these are the lowest of the lowest paid, and for the mayor to pick on the smallest paid workers is troubling. It's unfortunate that he's trying to pawn it off on the City Council.”

— Gilbert Villegas, Chicago City Council member (NBC Chicago)

What’s next

The Chicago City Council is expected to continue debating the city's budget and the impact of the layoffs on City Hall custodians.

The takeaway

The dispute over the City Hall custodian layoffs highlights the ongoing political tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council, as well as the broader challenges of balancing budgets and maintaining essential city services while supporting low-wage workers.