Mayor Johnson’s push for city funding in Springfield meets resistance from key lawmakers
Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson is really trying to get more funding from Springfield, but it’s not going smoothly. Democratic House Speaker Emanuel Welch is warning him that he’ll hear “no” a lot.
Welch mentioned that while Chicago is important, he’s not sure how much help they can offer. He’s looking forward to hearing Johnson’s priorities for 2025, but so far, there hasn’t been much communication.
Johnson has faced criticism from Governor Pritzker for not building better relationships in Springfield. Pritzker said he’s only talked to Johnson a handful of times since he took office.
In response, Johnson defended his connections, pointing out his past work with Senate President Don Harmon. But Welch admitted they don’t chat often, even though they do answer each other’s calls.
Last year, Johnson promised to push for $1.1 billion for public schools, but when he got to the Capitol, that plan fizzled out, and he ended up with just minor funding.
His popularity is slipping, making it harder to rally support from lawmakers. Welch also noted that Johnson didn’t discuss his opposition to a hemp regulation bill, which fell apart due to lack of support.
Despite some tension, Welch respects Pritzker and believes they can still achieve significant policy wins. As the new legislative session kicks off, Democrats are facing a $3 billion budget gap, which complicates Johnson’s requests.
Johnson recently urged students to push lawmakers for various revenue ideas, but Welch cautioned that raising taxes might not be the best move right now, especially with voters concerned about the economy.
It’s a tough road ahead for Johnson as he navigates these challenges in Springfield.
