Austin Berg

She also warned in emails that the 76% figure was “not a truthful statement to investors.” For this sin, the Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman reported Gabrysch was hauled into a meeting with Johnson chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas and acting Corporation Counsel Renee Hatcher. She was scolded for not “staying true to the administration’s message” and told there could be “no sunlight” between her and the administration. Allegedly, she was also told to leave the structural-solutions percentage out of an upcoming bond authorization. (What Chicago tells investors about its finances when it sells bonds is subject to federal securities law.)

After Gabrysch’s resignation, the mayor’s office began a smear campaign. Gabrysch called it an attempt to “deflect from the serious issues at stake,” which she described as “disappointing but not surprising.” “I stand by my statement and will continue to operate in accordance with my values and integrity,” she said.

Chicago is perched just one notch above junk status by Moody’s. And two notches above by S&P, and three by Fitch and Kroll. Privately, many industry observers believe the city’s fundamentals already warrant a junk rating.

Ald. Bill Conway has called for an “immediate and robust investigation,” saying Gabrysch’s letter is an “obvious indication that she was asked by the Mayor’s Office to present false information.” Finance Chair Pat Dowell wants an outside audit of the city’s finances.

State law allows the City Council to lead investigations of this kind independently from the city’s corporation counsel, including subpoenaing witnesses and documents. Aldermen should use it, especially given Chicago’s acting corporation counsel was directly involved in the dispute with Gabrysch.

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Despite an $882 million deficit, Johnson proposes $665 million spending increase

Ethan Soifer:

Over half of that would go to pensions and debt service.

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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has donated millions to The Wisconsin Democrat Party.