Nineteen members of the Chicago City Council are demanding transparency from Mayor Brandon Johnson after learning that his administration quietly hired consulting giant Ernst & Young to “scour the budget for efficiencies” — at a cost of $3.185 million to taxpayers.
In a June 3 letter signed by 19 alderpersons and addressed to the mayor, the Council demanded immediate access to all financial records, analysis, and reports shared with or produced by the consultants. The move follows a report in Crain’s Chicago Business (29 May 2025) that revealed the contract — with no mention of prior consultation with the City Council or its financial analysis office.
“City Council and its Council Office of Financial Analysis both need the facts in order to make sound decisions for the upcoming budget season,” the letter states. “We are asking the following to be shared with all Members of the City Council in real time.”
Among the specific materials requested:
Full financial data, departmental budget and spending records
Monthly cash flow reports and management memos
All Ernst & Young reports, analysis, proposals, department reviews, and policy recommendations
Any subcontractor documentation or advisories provided to the administration
The Johnson administration’s reported rationale is to uncover cost-saving measures ahead of an impending $1 billion shortfall in FY2026, despite a current FY2025 budget of $17.1 billion. But Council members — many of whom helped limit tax increases and hold the line on spending during budget negotiations — are warning that secrecy undermines that effort.
“Many of us worked hard to hold the line on spending, limit tax increases, and offered your administration opportunities for serious discussion about the overall cost of government service,” the letter continues. “We look forward to your response on this matter.”
This push for transparency follows a string of broken or delayed promises by Johnson’s administration — including his 2022 campaign pledge to decrypt police scanner traffic, which remains unfulfilled more than a year into his term. Council members now appear determined not to let another key policy discussion take place in the shadows.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward), who shared the letter on social media, summarized the sentiment bluntly: @RaymondALopez
“No FOIA. No ‘Through the Chair’ begging. Just good ol’ collaboration & transparency.”
With broad support from across the ideological spectrum — including signers like Alds. Brian Hopkins (2nd), Scott Waguespack (32nd), and others — the letter marks a potential turning point in Council-mayoral relations.
It’s a rare moment of unified resistance from alderpersons who say they’ve been shut out of decisions that could shape Chicago’s financial future for years.
Whether Johnson’s team will provide the requested documentation — unfiltered and uncensored — remains to be seen.
