Waukegan adopts $292.24 million fiscal 2025–26 budget after brief public hearing and council questions

The Waukegan City Council adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 2, approving a $292,238,800 appropriation for the period May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

Councilors debated the budget’s timeline and level of public engagement before the vote. Alderman Florian noted the packet was delivered late in the week and that the council had only days to review material and hold the statutorily required public hearing, which took place the prior Wednesday; she said there was insufficient time for ward‑level town halls. Alderman Turner and others pressed for clarity on staffing changes, capital spending and how large multi‑year capital projects will be carried forward.

Key votes and motions A motion to approve the fiscal-year budget ordinance was made by Alderman Guzman and seconded by Alderman Newsom; the ordinance passed on a roll call vote with all aldermen voting aye.

Major budget features and council discussion - Total appropriation: $292,238,800 (annual appropriation ordinance adopted by roll call). - Capital program: council members were told capital improvements total a large multi‑year program (staff referenced roughly $70 million in capital items); staff said many projects will span multiple years and unspent appropriations will be carried forward into future budgets. - Revenue and taxes: staff and the mayor stated property taxes were not intended to be raised in this fiscal year; the mayor indicated discipline on spending and pledged to limit future increases to no more than about 2% where possible, noting revenue projections remain subject to mid‑year review. - Staffing and positions: the budget adds several positions, including an assistant building commissioner and a business‑license director; councilors asked whether some of those roles are necessary at director level and requested clarification of job duties. Council members also discussed changes to finance and risk‑management roles and the status of ongoing audits. - Events and community programming: councilors discussed an allocation for special events and tourism‑related expenditures; the mayor and others framed some of that funding as an investment in bringing visitors to Waukegan’s lakefront and downtown (the mayor noted recent successful public events, including a Pride parade and festival).

Councilors sought additional transparency and ongoing reporting. Alderman Florian asked that future budgets be provided with more lead time for public engagement; several members asked for quarterly updates on reserves, insurance liabilities and capital project schedules. The mayor and staff said they will provide regular updates and implement controls on spending.

Ending The council adopted the annual appropriation and related ordinances after amendments to insert the exact appropriation amount. Staff signaled they will report on implementation details, carryovers of capital projects and midyear revenue assessments as the fiscal year proceeds.