For too long, Chicago’s budgets have been written with politicians’ reelection in mind rather than long-term stability.

That shortsighted perspective is partly how the city ended up with a $1.15 billion deficit, with voters who overwhelmingly believe their leaders aren’t telling them the truth. When politics become more about managing optics than solving problems, trust evaporates, and cynicism grows.

If City Hall fails to change course, the city’s future will be defined by crisis — not opportunity.

A new poll commissioned by Leading a Better Chicago, conducted by Hart Research, shows just how urgently residents want honesty and real solutions:

71% of voters believe bankruptcy is a stark possibility if the budget crisis is not solved.
83% believe city leaders have not been honest about the scope of the problem.
A majority have little or no confidence in Mayor Brandon Johnson or the City Council to address the deficit.
One-third of voters say they have “no confidence at all” in either the mayor or the council.

Voters also understand how we got here: 75% blame years of asset sales used to paper over shortfalls, while 74% say short-term fixes such as reckless borrowing and reliance on one-time revenues have pushed Chicago to the brink.

These are not abstract concepts. Residents see the consequences in their neighborhoods and know the crisis is real.

But they are also pragmatic about solutions. Chicagoans reject shortsighted fixes such as new fees on streaming services or garbage collection cuts that would hit families directly, and they oppose cuts to basic services such as garbage collection. At the same time, they show strong support for responsible reform:

85% support incentives for employers and reducing business costs to grow jobs and revenue.
73% support consolidating services across agencies to reduce waste.
A majority — even among tax-sensitive voters — say they would respect leaders who have the honesty to make taxes part of the discussion.

In other words, the people of Chicago are prepared to deal with reality — if their leaders are honest with them. They are not asking for miracles, only for decisions that are rooted in fairness, accountability and the shared recognition that everyone must give something to ensure the city’s long-term stability.

That honesty is exactly what is missing. Too often, we get budgets crafted around reelection timelines, not long-term fiscal sustainability. Politicians kick the can down the road, hoping the next officeholder will take the heat. But the bill always comes due — and the tab in Chicago has spiraled wildly out of control. The public has grown weary of spin and half-measures. They want a clear, credible plan that addresses the crisis head on, not another patchwork of promises that will collapse under political pressure.

My advice to the city’s leaders is simple: Tell the truth, face the hard trade-offs, and start putting Chicago on a long-term path to stability. Don’t worry about the next campaign slogan or who gets the blame for unpopular choices. Worry about whether we will still have a livable, functioning city for the next generation.

Chicagoans are not naïve. They know there are no easy answers to solve this challenge. Level with voters. Tell residents the truth about the hard choices ahead — because they already know. As our poll shows, they respect leaders who level with them.

The stakes could not be higher.

Chicago stands before a fiscal cliff. If leaders fail to act boldly, the city risks hurtling toward collapse. But if they face reality and chart a sustainable path forward, they can begin restoring confidence in government and securing the city’s future. In the end, it is not just about balancing the books — it is about showing that government can still work when leaders are guided by courage and vision instead of political calculation.

Good policy is good politics. The people of Chicago are demanding it. It is time for their leaders to finally answer the call.

Bill Quinlan is founder of civic advocacy group Leading a Better Chicago. He is an attorney who represented former Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez and helped stabilize CPS leadership during its contract standoff with the Chicago Teachers Union.

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https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/06/opinion-chicago-budget-voter-poll/