Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces City Has Made More Than $1 Billion in Supplemental Pension Payments Since 2023

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Announces Completion of $260 Million Supplemental Pension Payment for Fourth Consecutive Year

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that the City of Chicago has successfully completed its $260 million Advanced Supplemental Pension payment for Fiscal Year 2026. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the city has fulfilled this commitment, bringing the total amount of supplemental pension contributions made by the city to nearly $1.1 billion since 2023.

In a press conference held today, Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of fulfilling this commitment and ending the irresponsible practices of previous administrations. He stated, "For decades, administrations before ours kicked the can down the road on funding our pension system, abandoning our obligation to our hardworking public servants and putting Chicago in greater financial risk." He went on to say that his administration has made a commitment to ending these practices and has continued making supplemental pension payments year after year without relying on one-time federal dollars.

The nearly $1.1 billion in supplemental pension contributions made by the City have been in addition to its statutorily required annual pension payments. These additional contributions are aimed at reducing the long-term costs associated with decades of unfunded pension liabilities while safeguarding the retirements of hardworking City laborers, municipal employees, firefighters, and police officers who have honorably served the City.

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What sets these supplemental payments apart is that they are not supported by an infusion of one-time federal funding. Instead, Mayor Johnson's administration has continued making these additional contributions alongside the City's required annual pension payments through responsible stewardship of public dollars. This prioritizes long-term fiscal stability and retirement security for public servants.

The City's policy of making supplemental pension payments is also a crucial part of its plan to improve Chicago's long-term fiscal outlook. In a recent report on Chicago, S&P Global Ratings cited these advance supplemental pension payments as an important credit strength. Another ratings agency, KBRA, also noted the City's fourth consecutive supplemental pension contribution as a significant step towards long-term stability in February 2026.

Chief Financial Officer Ashlee Gabrysch stated, "The City's demonstrated commitment to making the pension advance payment is a critical step in addressing the compounding effects of legacy pension costs and strengthening the City's long-term fiscal health." She also noted that committing over a billion dollars in supplemental contributions is a notable milestone and demonstrates the Johnson administration's resolve to confront Chicago's financial challenges head-on.

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In June, the City published comprehensive data on its pension funds for 2025, showing an increase in funding levels for each of the four funds. The aggregate funded ratio of these funds increased from 25.63% to 28.15%, reflecting continued improvement supported by strong investment performance.

Looking ahead, the 2027 Budget forecast includes an additional $364 million in supplemental pension payments. This forecast also shows a significant decrease in the projected deficit, down nearly $284 million from 2025. Despite rising costs and considerable revenue losses, Mayor Johnson's administration has been able to reduce the budget gap through careful control of expenditures, monetization of city assets, and dedication to doing more with available resources.

Mayor Johnson reiterated his commitment to strengthening Chicago's financial foundation through thoughtful budgeting and transparent financial reporting. He stated that addressing the city's financial challenges requires fiscal discipline and sustained investment in its people and communities.

For more information about Chicago's pension outlook, interested parties can refer to the FY2027 Budget Forecast available on the city's website. With these efforts towards long-term fiscal stability and responsible management of public funds, Mayor Johnson hopes to continue improving the lives of all Chicagoans.

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