The City of Chicago Releases 2026 Budget Forecast Book

The City of Chicago has released the 2026 Budget Forecast Book, which means we are officially in budget season. The 2026 Budget Forecast discusses the City’s 2025 year-end estimates, as well as projections for 2026 to 2028 with three revenue and expense scenarios: a base outlook, a negative outlook, and a positive outlook. These projections are based on historical revenue and expenditure data, current economic trends and conditions, and other known factors that are anticipated to have an impact on the City’s finances.

The Mayor plans on delivering the city's 2026 Budget Address on October 16th, 2025 which will trigger the beginning of the city department's public budget hearings.

For your convenience, we have linked the 2026 Budget Forecast Book as well as our graphic which provides an overview budget process.

We encourage you to take a look and reach out to our team with any questions or concerns.