Emanuel applauds aldermen who 'took the tough votes' in final budget address

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday took the wraps off a $10.66 billion 2019 budget that holds the line on taxes, fines and fees and still invests heavily in police reform, crime fighting, housekeeping services and mentoring and summer jobs for at-risk youth.

In his final budget address to the city council, Emanuel asked his allies to take a bow for making the tough decisions that have begun to solve the city's $28 billion pension crisis and put Chicago in a position to keep spending on what's important. Never mind that a $1 billion spike in pension payments will confront the next mayor and city council.

"Getting the city back on track has not been a walk in the park. And by no means is our work finished. But that does not mean we should undersell the journey we took and the work we did in this chamber," the mayor said.

"We took the tough votes. You demonstrated political courage. ... They do not build statues for people who restore fiscal stability. But without sound, strong, stable finances, nothing else is possible. ... You will not get a statue. But you have built something ... more lasting than a statue. You have built a foundation."

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