The Brief
- Chicago officials say the city has collected 75% of debt from the past three years while stepping up efforts to recover money owed.
- The city is also offering debt relief and payment programs for residents struggling with vehicle and water bills.
- The Johnson administration is targeting corporations for unpaid taxes, while City Council critics question pandemic-era spending and its impact on the city’s debt.
CHICAGO – As a December budget deadline looms, Mayor Brandon Johnson is going in depth on Chicago’s debt collection efforts and relief for those who can’t pay their bills
The backstory:
City Comptroller Michael Belsky explained that a large chunk of vehicle debt dates back to 2021 , and what he called a more compassionate approach to fines and fees collection during COVID. Now, in 2026, he says they’ve collected 75 percent of the debt over the last 3 years. …