Chicago Budget Guide

How to Read the Chicago FY2026 Budget

A plain-language guide to the major fund names, department sections, and how to use this search tool to navigate the ordinance faster.

Start With The Two Documents

The Annual Appropriation Ordinance gives the broader budget structure, while the Grant Details Ordinance breaks out many grant-funded programs. If you are looking for a department's base appropriations, start with the annual appropriation document. If you are looking for a federal, state, or private grant-funded program, start with the grants ordinance.

Use Fund Names As Anchors

Terms like Corporate Fund, State Grant Fund, Federal Grant Fund, Local Public and Private Grant Fund, and ARPA-related fund labels are useful search anchors. Many budget questions become easier once you search by fund name plus department or program.

Follow The Citations

This site is designed to surface direct evidence. Use the page citations and PDF viewer to verify the answer and inspect surrounding context before quoting or relying on a figure publicly.