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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is seeking to the subsequent era for assistance on his first metropolis price range proposal.

The previous center college instructor and union organizer is holding a price range roundtable dialogue completely for Chicagoans ages 13 to 24. The July 25 occasion on the ninth flooring of Harold Washington Library is an addition to the same old spherical of July price range engagement conferences.

Town is providing a perk: 5 younger individuals who take part, who’re at the least 16 years previous, will likely be randomly chosen to win two four-day Lollapalooza passes.

In an announcement, Johnson stated the roundtable “permits our younger folks the chance to chart their very own path in fulfilling that imaginative and prescient for hope, and change into stewards for their very own futures and eventual management of our metropolis.”

The invitation comes as Johnson is stepping up efforts to get younger folks extra concerned in authorities resolution making. His transition staff lately really useful the creation of a paid youth council — which might resemble an current youth fee created by his predecessor Lori Lightfoot.

Metropolis officers are inviting youth to share concepts immediately with the mayor on varied components of town’s price range, together with reasonably priced housing, homelessness, group improvement, arts and tradition, psychological well being, security, and infrastructure. However faculties aren’t included on that checklist.

The Chicago Public Faculties price range, which should be authorised by July 1, already has been handed for the upcoming college yr. The college board final month authorised a flat $9.4 billion, with roughly half going immediately to varsities.

However monetary challenges loom, with college district officers anticipating a price range shortfall of $628 million by the 2025-26 college yr with the depletion of federal pandemic aid funds. As Chicago shifts to an elected college board, the district can also have to select up extra prices presently paid by town.

The following metropolis price range will cowl the 2024 calendar yr. The Metropolis Council is required to move a price range by Dec. 31 — however traditionally does so earlier than Thanksgiving, and planning begins in summer time. From June to September, town’s price range workplace opinions departmental bills and solicits public suggestions. Mayors submit their price range proposals to the Metropolis Council by Oct. 15, which additionally features a public listening to.

Usually, the mayor’s workplace releases a price range forecast in August. However in a uncommon transfer earlier than leaving workplace, Lightfoot and her monetary staff launched a midyear price range forecast that projected a comparatively small shortfall of $85 million.

Doorways to the youth price range dialogue will open round 4:45 p.m., and the occasion will begin at 5:30 p.m. Metropolis officers stated there will likely be restricted seating for grownup chaperones, who can not take part within the dialogue. Youth can register right here.

Reema Amin is a reporter masking Chicago Public Faculties. Contact Reema at ramin@chalkbeat.org.

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