[remote or in person, 12-3:30pm] 2025 Chicago Budget Hearing: financial overview

121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)

City Hall, 2nd floor, Council Chambers

This is an assignment to document a portion of Chicago City Council’s 2025 budget process.

Roles & Scheduling New this year, we are capping departmental budget hearing assignments at 3.5 hours (plus 2 hours outside work). Please take note of the time slot indicated in the assignment title. You will be paid for the full 3.5 hours regardless of whether the meeting starts late or a break occurs, but you should conclude your coverage when the end of your shift arrives.

Weekdays

Morning shift: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Live reporting (Twitter)
• Notes

Afternoon shift: 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Live reporting (Twitter)
• Notes
• Special assignment*

Saturday, Nov. 9 & 19

Morning shift: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Live reporting (Twitter)
• Notes

Afternoon shift: 12:30 p.m. to 4 pm

• Live reporting (Twitter)

• Notes

• Special assignment*

*In the event that a hearing extends past the end of the afternoon shift, on the subsequent weekday morning we will assign someone to take notes on the remaining portion of the meeting using the video recording. This assignment will be due by noon the next day and paid according to the regular formula (meeting duration + 2 hours). To indicate your interest, apply to the “special assignment” role.

For example, if a Monday meeting adjourns at 6:42 p.m., on Tuesday morning we will assign someone who has applied to the “special assignment” role to take notes on the portion that took place after 5 p.m., or the last hour and 42 minutes. The assignment will be due by noon on Wednesday.

Applicants who completed 2025 budget season training on Oct. 21 or 22 will receive an extra hour of pay on each assignment they submit.

Assignment instructions This is an assignment to document a 3.5-hour portion of Chicago City Council’s 2025 budget process.

You have the option of documenting this meeting in person or remotely.

If you choose to attend in person, an additional hour will be added to your total assignment hours. Please note that there may be increased security and restrictions; use a clear bag if possible and leave large water bottles, thermoses and pepper spray at home. If you choose to document remotely, the meeting will be live-streamed at https://www.chicityclerk.com/.

At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.

Other notes and pre-research resources

• For more info and resources, see our Chicago Documenters Guide to the City’s 2025 Budget Process (in 2024).
• Chicago Councilmatic: This civic data org’s website has a lot of the information that can be found on the city’s database in a more user-friendly format, as well as context on City Council and alders.

Check the source website for additional information