Mayor Johnson's Delayed Pension Payment Sparks Council Anger as Credit Rating at Risk. The Chicago City Council is demanding answers from Mayor Brandon Johnson over his decision to only pay half of the $260 million advance pension payment due this year, despite a budget mandate requiring full payment.
The move has left council members frustrated and concerned about the potential impact on the city's credit rating. "He's disregarding the intent and the vote of the Council," said Alderman Scott Waguespack, who led the budget rebellion that forced Johnson to accept the full payment. "Partial compliance is not compliance."
The council's 32-member group, which rejected Johnson's corporate head tax proposal, introduced a resolution summoning key officials, including Budget Director Annette Guzman and Comptroller Michael Belsky, to explain why Johnson defied their mandate.
Johnson cited cash flow concerns related to delayed property tax payments as the reason for the delayed payment. However, critics argue that this explanation is misleading, particularly since Guzman had previously stated that the newly approved 2026 budget included a $15 million surplus.
"This was supposed to be a responsible budget," said Alderman Nicole Lee. "Walking away from it sends exactly the wrong message."
The delayed pension payment comes as Johnson faces other criticism for his handling of the city's finances. Earlier this month, he warned of potential midyear layoffs due to revenue plan estimates that were deemed unrealistic by council members.
Additionally, a report released by retiring Inspector General Deborah Witzburg found that the city paid $26.5 million in overtime to nearly 1,100 employees who were not eligible for such payments, with nearly 25% going to just 18 employees whose payments ranged from $250,000 to $700,000.
The council's demand for answers highlights ongoing tensions between Johnson and the City Council over budget decisions and governance.
The move has left council members frustrated and concerned about the potential impact on the city's credit rating. "He's disregarding the intent and the vote of the Council," said Alderman Scott Waguespack, who led the budget rebellion that forced Johnson to accept the full payment. "Partial compliance is not compliance."
The council's 32-member group, which rejected Johnson's corporate head tax proposal, introduced a resolution summoning key officials, including Budget Director Annette Guzman and Comptroller Michael Belsky, to explain why Johnson defied their mandate.
Johnson cited cash flow concerns related to delayed property tax payments as the reason for the delayed payment. However, critics argue that this explanation is misleading, particularly since Guzman had previously stated that the newly approved 2026 budget included a $15 million surplus.
"This was supposed to be a responsible budget," said Alderman Nicole Lee. "Walking away from it sends exactly the wrong message."
The delayed pension payment comes as Johnson faces other criticism for his handling of the city's finances. Earlier this month, he warned of potential midyear layoffs due to revenue plan estimates that were deemed unrealistic by council members.
Additionally, a report released by retiring Inspector General Deborah Witzburg found that the city paid $26.5 million in overtime to nearly 1,100 employees who were not eligible for such payments, with nearly 25% going to just 18 employees whose payments ranged from $250,000 to $700,000.
The council's demand for answers highlights ongoing tensions between Johnson and the City Council over budget decisions and governance.
This pension payment delay is super sus, you feel? I get that there are cash flow issues with delayed property tax payments, but half the payment? That doesn't add up 
. And if Guzman had said they had a $15 million surplus in the 2026 budget, why did Johnson go ahead and do his own thing? It's like he ignored all the votes and warnings from the council 
. I'm not saying he's trying to sabotage the city or anything, but it does seem like he's playing with fire here 
. And those overtime payments? Ugh, that's just another reason why people are losing trust in Johnson 
. The city needs to get its finances straight and be more transparent 
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. It seems like Mayor Johnson is playing with fire by defying the council's mandate on pension payments. Credit rating at risk? That's a big deal, folks! 
Not to mention all the other issues he's facing with city finances... midyear layoffs and overtime payments that are just not right 
The council members have every right to be frustrated and want some answers 
. It's time for transparency and accountability, especially when it comes to public funds 
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and omg cash flow concerns 
he's probably just trying to save face after getting roasted by his own budget committee. 
I mean, who needs a $260 million advance pension payment when you can just cut it in half? 
and now the city council is all like "hey, what's going on here?" 
like, wasn't this guy supposed to be some kind of financial genius or something? 
how can u just disregard what the council voted for? 
about this! Can you believe that our mayor is basically screwing us over like this? Half a billion dollars and he can't even be bothered to pay it out in full? And now the credit rating is at risk because of his reckless decisions? What's going on with these cash flow concerns, anyway? I mean, we just got told there's a $15 million surplus in 2026, so what's changed now? This whole thing reeks of incompetence and arrogance. The fact that they're trying to pass the buck by blaming it on delayed property tax payments is just laughable 
. We need some serious changes around City Hall ASAP! 
The council members are right on point, partial compliance is not an option here. It looks like Johnson is more worried about his own financial woes than listening to the people he's supposed to serve.
. The City Council needs to stand up for what's right and hold him accountable for these questionable decisions 
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If there's a problem with cash flow, shouldn't they be working together to find solutions instead of one person making decisions without consulting others? 
. They need to work with the council, not against them! 
I'm really confused about this pension payment thing. Like, why is it a big deal that half of the money wasn't paid on time? I get that it was supposed to be paid in full, but shouldn't we just be talking about how much was actually paid instead of all the drama around it?
. And come on, Alderman Waguespack's right, partial compliance is not the same as full compliance. It's like, if you're gonna make promises, keep 'em, ya know? 
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Mayor Johnson's decision is literally killing me! I mean, who does he think he is? The city's already struggling with finances, and now he's just messing around by paying only half of the pension payment? 
We need more transparency and accountability in our city government. This kind of thing can't happen without consequences... let's see what happens next 
and how I need to get my friend Rachel there ASAP. She's been raving about their matcha lattes, but I'm more of a cappuccino kinda girl myself 
. I swear, have you ever noticed how some places will put way too much foam on the top? Like, what's the point of that? 
I'm literally fuming right now! Mayor Johnson's decision to only pay half of the pension payment is just, like, completely unacceptable 
. This whole situation is just a huge mess, and I don't know how it's going to get cleaned up 
he's basically playing with fire by delaying pension payment like what if credit rating gets affected? 
they're already dealing with other financial issues and now this?