Bills and receipts from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration have raised new questions about extravagant spending as the city of Chicago faces a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
Documents uncovered by local news station NBC 5 reveal that the city spent more than $80,000 renovating and renovating an office in the Chicago Cultural Center for first lady Stacey Johnson as the city was mired in financial crisis. Ta.
“Invoices and receipts obtained by NBC’s Fifth Bureau of Investigation through a series of Freedom of Information Act requests show that a work order request to renovate and redecorate Room 306 at the Chicago Cultural Center began in February of this year and began in August. This shows that it has lasted until now.” said the report.
NBC 5 reports that electricians, carpenters and painters on the city’s payroll were contracted for the work, according to invoices from the city’s Department of Vehicle and Facilities Management, also known as 2FM. Workers earned more than 350 hours of labor at a cost of more than $25,000.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office is facing increased scrutiny after the city of Chicago spent $80,000 renovating it. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Other invoices show the city paid more than $43,000 for furniture, including a $2,200 office chair and what was described on documents as the “first lady’s desk.” It also includes a $4,400 desk. The city spent an additional $4,600 on desks for staff and more than $8,300 on two club chairs, the newspaper said.
The invoice was dated Aug. 13 and was due Sept. 12, NBC 5 reported.
Mayor Johnson’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Under the Johnson administration, Chicago faces a budget shortfall of nearly $1 billion in 2025. (Vincent Alban/Getty Images)
Confronted with the bill and asked to defend the city’s spending, Johnson told NBC 5, “I mean, the cultural center has always been a place for dignitaries, every first lady has had office space there. Renovations to my office and other offices are standard.” Our commitment to investing in people is still investing in people. ”
The mayor declined further questions about his views on overspending as his administration considers layoffs of city employees to cut costs.
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Mr Johnson was elected in 2023 as a left-wing favorite on the platform of increasing spending on city services. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“Just because you buy a desk doesn’t change the fiscal damage that’s been going on for a very long time. So the question we ask, and this is with all due respect, is that it goes much further than that. It’s a deep question. We ask: ‘How do we ensure that the structural damage that has occurred over the decades is repaired? We reroute the river and ensure that the land remains where it is.’ make it possible to reach. that’s what we’re doing. ” he said.
When NBC 5 brought up the issue, Johnson criticized the station’s questions. “So, I’ve been mayor for 17 months now, and the question is, how do I feel about the optics? Look back at the tape. That my leadership is based on anyone’s opinion of me. If I were to allow it, it would be: “I’ve never questioned my position in investing in people. I’m not doing this for optics. ”
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In addition to investing in Chicago’s South and West Sides, the mayor has focused on hiring young people for summer jobs, building affordable housing, and ensuring schools have counselors and social workers. He said that he is keeping
But Johnson still has not submitted a plan to close the city’s projected $982 million budget gap.
