City government · Cook County, IL
Chicago's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended December 31, 2023), Chicago took in $14.4 billion and spent $15.5 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Chicago's money comes from taxes other than property, sales and income taxes.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 7.2%.
City taxes45%
What's in other taxesPublic utility taxes; other selective sales taxes and 11 more
- Public utility taxes$774 million
- Other selective sales taxes$735 million
- Amusement taxes$270 million
- Other licenses$72.6 million
- Motor fuel taxes$57.3 million
- Other taxes not classified elsewhere$40.6 million
- Alcoholic beverage taxes$30.1 million
- Motor vehicle licenses$28.8 million
- Occupation and business licenses$26.1 million
- Tobacco taxes$14.7 million
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$13.1 million
- Insurance premium taxes$7.7 million
- Pari-mutuel (betting) taxes$50 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services25%
What's in fees for servicesAirport; water and 5 more
- Airport$1.95 billion
- Water$804 million
- Other service charges$411 million
- Sewer$381 million
- Garbage collection$62.4 million
- Parking$7.3 million
- Parks and recreation$4.6 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money7.4%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money12%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Fines and other10%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Chicago's spending goes to running the government and other costs.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 16%.
Spending by category100%
What's in running the government and other costsFinance, tax collection and budgeting; other and not broken out and 2 more
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$4.46 billion
- Other and not broken out$2.08 billion
- Government buildings$90.8 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$72.5 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$2.24 billion
- Fire protection$697 million
- Inspections and regulation$42.9 million
- Courts and legal services$30.7 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingAirports; roads and highways and 1 more
- Airports$1.90 billion
- Roads and highways$421 million
- Parking$6.5 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$1.30 billion
- Interest on water supply debt$105 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$538 million
- Sewer systems$200 million
- Garbage and solid waste$184 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$624 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$305 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation
- Libraries$121 million
- Parks and recreation$58.5 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$22.3 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Chicago. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Chicago itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.