Chicago Aldermen Form 'Accountability Commission' to Monitor Mayor's Budget Execution

The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and City Council over the 2026 budget.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A group of 29 Chicago aldermen have announced the formation of a 'Budget Accountability Coalition' to monitor Mayor Brandon Johnson's implementation of the city's $16.6 billion 2026 budget, which passed over the mayor's objections. The coalition plans to establish 11 working groups to track controversial budget provisions like the sale of city debt and the legalization of video gambling terminals. Aldermen say they are concerned Johnson may not carry out the budget as approved, while the mayor has denied subverting the plan but has expressed doubts about its financial projections.

Why it matters

The clash between Mayor Johnson and the City Council majority highlights the ongoing power struggle at City Hall, with aldermen seeking to assert their oversight role after passing a budget that differed from the mayor's original proposal. The new 'accountability commission' could serve as a platform for Johnson's council opponents to publicly criticize his administration's budget implementation.

The details

The 29 aldermen who make up the 'Budget Accountability Coalition' were mostly 'yes' votes on the 2026 budget that passed in December. The coalition plans to establish 11 separate working groups to track the most controversial elements of the budget, including the sale of city debt to raise $90 million and the legalization of video gambling terminals in neighborhood bars. While the groups will have no official legislative authority, they could provide a way for the mayor's council opponents to organize and publicly scrutinize his budget execution.

  • The 2026 city budget was passed by the City Council in December 2025.
  • Mayor Johnson delivered a speech at the City Club of Chicago on February 11, 2026, defending his approach to the budget.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who has clashed with City Council over the 2026 budget, which passed over his objections. Johnson has denied subverting the budget plan but has expressed doubts about its financial projections.

Ald. Pat Dowell

The chair of the City Council's Finance Committee, appointed by Mayor Johnson in 2023.

Ald. Ronnie Mosley, Ald. Andre Vasquez, and Ald. Ruth Cruz

Progressive aldermen who are part of the 'Budget Accountability Coalition.'

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What they’re saying

“The budget process does not end when the vote is over. If we are going to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, the Administration must execute on the budget as passed.”

— Ald. Pat Dowell, Finance Committee Chair (Chicago Tribune)

“When we went through this entire process, it was a very open and collaborative process. There are projections that our team has assessed that have been overly projected and has caused some great deal of concern, right, in implementing this budget. And getting it right, that's the most important thing, and I'm doing that.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The newly formed 'Budget Accountability Coalition' will begin monitoring the implementation of the 2026 budget, with 11 working groups tracking specific provisions. The mayor's office has not indicated whether it will engage with the coalition.

The takeaway

The clash between Mayor Johnson and the City Council majority over the 2026 budget reflects the ongoing power struggle at City Hall, with aldermen seeking to assert their oversight role after passing a budget that differed from the mayor's original proposal. The new 'accountability commission' could serve as a platform for the mayor's council opponents to publicly scrutinize his budget execution.