The data used in this overview was extracted from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 Budget Overview and 2024 Budget Recommendations. The findings are mostly contained to an analysis of funding and allocations of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).
Mayor Brandon Johnson released the City of Chicago’s $16.6 billion budget recommendations for 2024, which he referred to as “The People’s Budget.”
Key Takeaways
- The Mayor proposed allocating $84.9 million for DCASE in 2024—an 18.9% increase compared to the 2023 budget ($71.4 million).
- Most of the proposed DCASE budget comes from the Special Events and Municipal Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax Fund and grant funds. DCASE’s allocation from the city’s Corporate Fund was removed. In both 2022 and 2023, $10 million was designated to DCASE from the Corporate Fund for “Arts and Cultural Initiatives.” Those funds were not recommended for 2024.
- Over one-third of the proposed DCASE budget ($29.6 million) comes from the American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery carryover from 2023: a temporary funding source not likely to continue as pandemic relief resources dwindle and end.
Other Notes
- In the last five years, the highest appropriation allocated to DCASE from local funds[1] was $40.2 million in 2020. In 2021, the DCASE budget dropped by $19.7 million and has since increased incrementally each year. For FY24, $39.8 million has been proposed for DCASE from local funds: a $9.3 million increase from 2023.
- Other potential arts and culture-related appropriations across the proposed 2024 budget include Library Fund allocations for services provided by performers and exhibitors (approximately $100k) under the Chicago Public Library and Corporate Fund allocations for Summer and After School Programs ($40 million dollars). In addition, at least four City departments – Chicago Department of Aviation, Department of Fleet and Facility Management, Chicago Police Department, and Chicago Public Library – have recommended appropriations for Graphic Artists/Arts over $150,000, demonstrating a continued need for artistic talent investments within key City structures.
| Breakdown of recommended DCASE appropriations for 2024 | Proposed |
|---|---|
| Special Events and Municipal Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax Fund | $39,784,716 |
| American Rescue Plan Fiscal Recovery | $29,618,247 |
| Art Works | $380,000 |
| Chicago Cultural Center Foundation | $100,430 |
| Community Arts Access Program | $364,000 |
| Cultural Fund | $100,000 |
| Cultural Sector Building | $2,353,000 |
| DCASE – Private Grants | $10,395,000 |
| Farmers Markets | $161,000 |
| MP Residency Program | $410,000 |
| Millennium Park Winter Program | $66,000 |
| Our Town Program | $600,000 |
| Partners in Excellence | $162,000 |
| Visual Arts Exhibition | $370,000 |
| Grand Total | $84,864,393 |
[1]Per the 2023 Budget Overview, local funds are all funds used by the City for non-capital operations other than grant funds.
This breakdown was prepared for Arts Alliance Illinois by Dr. Glenance Green of Green Solutions Group. For additional analysis of the proposed DCASE budget, see Better Government Association’s DCASE budget snapshot.
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