Cook County Faces $218 Million Budget Deficit with No Plans for Tax Hikes or Layoffs

Cook County, home to the Chicago metro area, is facing a significant $218 million budget shortfall in 2025 despite a projected $367 million surplus at the end of 2024. County leaders, led by Board President Toni Preckwinkle, have not disclosed plans to address the deficit but have assured no layoffs, program cuts, or tax increases. The shortfall is attributed to the need to spend $9 billion next year. The county has managed previous budget gaps without raising taxes, protected pensions, and improved equity programming. The upcoming shortfall is expected to be the largest since 2021, largely due to the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy. Cook County's health system has been particularly affected by the pandemic, with many positions remaining unfilled. The county, second in population only to Los Angeles County, is set to release a proposal in October to address the budget gap.