Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced a strategic plan for the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received by the City of Chicago. The funding, part of the $350 billion stimulus package enacted by President Joe Biden, is aimed at providing relief to individuals, businesses, and governments impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Johnson's strategic plan includes investments of over $576 million across six policy pillars for community initiatives. He stated, "When I came into office, I wanted to ensure the money the City received from the federal government was utilized to help the communities most impacted by the pandemic and the many long-standing inequities it exacerbated."

The allocations authorized by Mayor Johnson are focused on six Policy Pillars: Youth and Economy, Community Safety, Mental Health and Wellness, Housing and Homelessness Supports, Human Rights and Arts & Culture, and Effective Governance. The plan includes initiatives such as the Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot and the Youth Opportunities Program to directly impact the lives of Chicago residents.

City of Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman highlighted the meticulous strategy developed by the Office of Budget and Management for the allocation of ARPA funds, emphasizing transparency, equity, and long-term impact. Guzman stated, "Through our work with City departments that administer ARPA-funded programs, we believe we have set the City on a path to successfully maximizing the impact of these initiatives."

Specific allocations authorized by the Mayor include investments in areas such as Youth and Economy, Community Safety, Mental Health and Wellness, Housing and Homelessness Supports, Human Rights and Arts & Culture, and Effective Governance. These investments aim to address various needs within Chicago communities, from providing financial assistance to survivors of gender-based violence to improving access to mental health services.

In line with efforts to enhance transparency, the City of Chicago will be submitting monthly reports to the City Council and developing a comprehensive ARPA website and dashboard for public release in the fall of 2024. Additional details on specific programs can be found in the "Road to Recovery: American Rescue Plan Under the Johnson Administration" document available at Chicago.gov/OBM.