Happy Holidays may be spelled S-H-U-T- D-O-W-N

The notion of a city government shutdown has no merits or precedence

With the historic 0=50 historic trouncing Mayor Brandon Johnson received from the Chicago City Council less than a month ago over a plan to increase property tax $300 million a government watchdog and a league of alderpersons are warning the mayor to reverse course or face a government shutdown.

Johnson, who is developing budget for the first time, has refused to consider making service and personnel cuts to try to make up the deficit. Alderpersons warned the mayor if he sticks to that agenda, he is likely to see the first government shutdown in modern Chicago history.

A shutdown could take on many iterations. We know certainly there will be cuts in services which could range from staffing at the Chicago Park District locations to slower responses to 3-1-1 calls to less frequent residential garbage collections. Depending upon how long a shutdown lasts it could impact police and fire rolls.

Team Johnson has not publicly addressed the possibility of a shutdown. The tug-of-war between the administration and the council is rooted in the difference that the mayor is attempting to abide by a campaign promises of no personnel cuts juxtapose to the legislators who are pushing for reductions in personnel and some services, but no increased taxes.

To reiterate their point, 14 members of the council dipped into their campaign coffers to pay for a survey of 800 residents asking their opinions about increased property taxes. They were Brian Hopkins (2nd), Anthony Beale (9th), Peter Chico (10th), Marty Quinn (13th), Ray Lopez (15th), Derrick Curtis (18th), Silvana Tabares (22nd), Monique Scott (24th), Felix Cardona (31st), Scott Waguespack (32nd), Gilbert Villegas (36th), Anthony Napolitano (41st), Brendan Reilly (42nd), and James Gardiner (45th). Beale, Curtis, and Scott were the only African-American alders who signed the letter.

Tabares noted respondents indicated they would pin the blame on Johnson if a shutdown occurred.

There have several Federal government shutdowns over the decades. That action, furloughing all non-essential personnel and limit other activities has never hit Chicago. Even during the most contentious budget disputes the legislative and executive branches were able to mete out a compromise in the final days or hours.

Since Johnson took office, and it was clear his grasp of municipal finance was tenuous at best, this space has been used to urge the administration to recruit university, business, and civic experts to scrutinize and advise on city fiscal matters - particularly with a $1 billion deficit looming.

The mere mention of a shutdown demonstrates the legislative side is as unacquainted with the nuances of the city hall ledgers as the mayor’s.

A shutdown, regardless of its length will inconvenience Chicago and some suburban residents. Additionally, it means increased government costs to make up for what was lost during the shutdown.

The sides have until the last day of this years to come to an agreement on the budget.