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The alternative city budget muscled through the City Council over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s objections required the city to make the full $260 million advance pension payment to stave off another costly reduction in Chicago’s bond rating.Late last week, the Johnson administration ignored that mandate and made a half-payment of $130 million and promised to pay the other half later this year.Now, the renegade group of 32 alderpersons who rejected Johnson’s corporate head tax and seized control of a budget process are demanding to know why.At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, they introduced a resolution that would summon Budget Director Annette Guzman, departing Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski and Comptroller Michael Belsky before the Finance Committee to explain why Johnson is defying their budget mandate.“It’s really about trying to keep our credit rating intact because without doing this, we are in danger of having another credit downgrade because we’re not doing the full payment,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd), the former Finance Committee chair who led the budget rebellion.“He’s disregarding the intent and the vote of the Council. And that’s frustrating because it also shows the rating agencies" that the contentious budget battle continues.Far Northwest Side Ald. Samantha Nugent (39th) said the full pension payment was a pivotal part of the alternative budget approved by a 30-vote majority.“That vote wasn’t symbolic. It was a mandate… The administration has a responsibility to execute it fully and faithfully. Partial compliance is not compliance,” Nugent said in a statement.It's unclear what would happen if Johnson and his team refuse to make the full pension payment, even after the hearings are held."That's a great question," Nugent said. "I'd like to see how the committee goes first... If they refuse to, then we'll have to assess our options at that point, and potentially introduce legislation to force [their] hand."The mayor’s office said the decision to “structure the 2026 advance pension payments in two installments” was made because of cash flow concerns tied to delayed property tax payments from Cook County.The city is also "expending large outflows” during the first quarter “due to statutorily required pension payments," the statement said.“To ensure that the City has sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations, the City will structure the 2026 advance pension payments in two installments, the first installment paid on January 16th, 2026, and the second installment later this year,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.“The uncertainty around the implementation of new revenues passed in the FY2026 budget, including the speculative debt sale, poses additional challenges to the City's finances. "Leaders of the opposition group of conservative and moderate alderpersons don’t buy the mayor’s cash flow argument.They called it a “direct conflict” with Guzman’s late December claim that the newly approved 2026 budget “included a $15 million surplus.”Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) said the advance pension payment initiated by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and continued in Johnson’s first two city budgets is “critical to stabilizing our pension systems and protecting Chicago from future downgrades.”“If there is a real cash flow issue, the public deserves a full and transparent explanation — not fear-based messaging and after-the-fact budget changes,” Lee said. “The Council passed a responsible budget to protect Chicago’s financial future. Walking away from that decision sends exactly the wrong message.”It’s not the first time that Johnson has ignored the guardrails of the budget passed by the City Council over his objections.Earlier this month, the mayor said he was already preparing City Hall for a potentially painful round of midyear layoffs amid fears that the newly revised revenue plan included shaky and unrealistic estimates that would set Chicago up for a midyear budget shortfall.He once again took aim at the plan to…

President Abraham Lincoln is making his defiant return to Illinois. Well, sort of.The Tony-winning, Pulitzer Prize-nominated play “Oh, Mary!” is going on tour starting this fall, with a stop in Chicago. Tickets are not on sale just yet, but Broadway in Chicago shared that the play will stop at CIBC Theatre in 2027. Green Room Newsletter You’re subscribed!Please check your inbox for your confirmation. Stay ahead of what’s hitting Chicago stages, galleries, museums and more with Green Room, WBEZ’s weekly arts & culture newsletter! Sorry, there was an error registering your email. Email Sign Up By subscribing, you agree with WBEZ’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Written by Cole Escola, the show follows a fictionalized, raunchy Mary Todd Lincoln through her drunken escapades and attempts at breaking into the cabaret scene. Don’t expect “Hamilton” levels of earnestness or historical accuracy; Escola told Town & Country that they “didn’t fact check ever” for this campy comedy.Escola also originated the title role, winning Best Actor in a Play at the Tonys in 2025. Sam Pinkleton, who also won the Tony for Best Direction of a Play, will direct the touring show with the play’s original creative team.Originally staged off-Broadway in early 2024, “Oh, Mary!” finds the former first lady in search of entertainment stardom while her husband, President Lincoln, juggles ending the Civil War with managing his alcoholic wife, all while being in the closet. The critically acclaimed show transferred to Broadway in the summer of 2024, where it has since been at the Lyceum Theatre. “Oh, Mary!” demands serious comedic chops from its actors, like Tituss Burgess, who played the title character in multiple limited engagements in 2025. Courtesy of Emilio Madrid While casting is to be announced, you can expect some star power and major comedic chops. Previous Mary Todd Lincolns include actor Tituss Burgess, “30 Rock” alum Jane Krakowski and two-time “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Jinkx Monsoon.Before “Oh, Mary!” comes to stages next year, Broadway in Chicago will host a bevy of other new Broadway hits, like “Stereophonic” and “The Outsiders.” “Hamilton” will also return to CIBC Theatre in March for nearly two months of performances.Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis is a digital producer on WBEZ’s Arts & Culture desk.

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down what GM Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson had to say about the Bears' season. New episodes of “Halas Intrigue” will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast’s hub page. You can also listen to “Halas Intrigue” wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. Latest on the Bears Bears Bears GM Ryan Poles comes out strongly in favor of re-signing Kevin Byard, but his price is rising The Bears got Byard in 2024 on a two-year, $15 million contract, but he’s sure to command much more as a free agent this year. [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   By Jason Lieser read Bears Bears coach Ben Johnson says final interception vs. Rams is on him, not Caleb Williams or DJ Moore Williams called it a “miscommunication,” and Moore didn’t talk to reporters this week. Johnson weighed in Wednesday. [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   By Jason Lieser read Bears Bears' list of injury concerns grows late in season, starting with LT Ozzy Trapilo General manager Ryan Poles said Wednesday it’s already a presumption that Trapilo won’t be ready for next season. [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   By Jason Lieser read

Bears general manager Ryan Poles was asked Wednesday about both starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, being unrestricted free agents after both said they hoped to return, but commented specifically only on Byard. "We’re going to take a step back and evaluate that and put that puzzle together," Poles said. "I have a lot of faith in our process that we’ll do that. Kevin’s a special player. I have no problem saying that’s a player that we would like to have back. But, again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all the other decisions we have across the roster, with cap restraints and things like that, it’ll be a challenge. But that’s part of what we do."Bears backup safeties Jonathan Owens and Jaylon Jones both are unrestricted free agents as well.Byard, 32, had a two-year, $15 million contract with the Bears, and that price undoubtedly is going up after leading the NFL with seven interceptions and earning his third All-Pro selection.