
The Brief
-
- The credit rating agency S&P Global downgraded the City of Chicago’s rating after the passage of its 2025 budget last month.
- The rating downgrade could make it more expensive for the city to borrow money.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson argued the rating downgrade doesn’t accurately reflect the city’s fiscal outlook.
CHICAGO – S&P Global downgraded the City of Chicago’s credit rating after the passage of the 2025 budget last month.
Credit downgrade
What we know:
The rating agency knocked the city’s rating from BBB+ to BBB, according to a city news release.
The downgrade comes after the City Council passed a 2025 budget without a property tax increase to close a nearly $1 billion deficit.
Instead, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office relied on other measures like a $40 million line of credit, $10 million in special event reimbursements, $5 million in gas and electricity savings and $1 million in staff cuts across city departments. There were also several fee increases to raise revenue.
Why you should care:
Credit downgrades are important because they could make borrowing money more expensive in the future.
The rating is like the city’s credit score, meaning lenders use it to determine how much to charge the city to take out a loan.
The city uses taxpayer money to pay back such loans as well as the interest payments.
‘We do not agree’
The other side:
Chicago officials argued the credit downgrade doesn’t reflect the city’s financial outlook.
Johnson’s office pointed to the city’s economic output, which is “larger than most countries.”
The Johnson administration also pointed out that S&P commended the city for its $272 million advance pension payment in its 2025 budget.
What they’re saying:
Johnson said despite the downgrade, the city will continue to meet its fiscal challenges “head-on.”
“The S&P report focuses on the fiscal challenges we face, but it does not accurately reflect our fundamental economic strength and the steps we’ve taken to address legacy issues. My administration remains committed to working collaboratively with the City Council to achieve structural balance and strengthen Chicago’s financial future,” he said.
Jill Jaworski, the city’s chief financial officer, said the administration is confident in the city’s economic outlook. Read More at Fox 32
What’s up, I log on to your neew stuff regularly. Yourr humoristkc tyle iis witty,
keep iit up!
Heey there! I simply wishh tto ofrer youu a big thumbs upp forr yoiur excelent information you have right here on this post.
I aam coming baqck tto your website forr more soon.