CHICAGO — On Monday, ahead of the City’s Budget Engagement roundtable, the People’s Unity Platform (PUP) — a citywide multi-racial coalition of neighborhood organizations, community groups, and labor unions — held a press conference to officially launch its new campaign: Babies Before Billionaires. The effort aims to secure $1 billion in new progressive revenue in Chicago’s FY26 city budget.
For years, PUP members worked to advance community-led solutions in public health and safety, housing, education, environmental justice, and workers’ rights. Now, the coalition is calling on the City Council and Mayor Brandon Johnson to put ‘Babies Before Billionaires’ and prioritize working families and youth over corporate wealth hoarding.
“We are here because our communities continue to be underfunded, even though Chicago is one of the wealthiest cities in the world,” said Crystal Gardner, an Austin resident and PUP organizer. “The resources exist — now we need to get the priorities right. We’re calling on our city leaders to put our babies before billionaires.”
Natalie Velazquez, a youth leader with Palenque LSNA, spoke to the transformative power of investing in young people:
“When youth are trusted, resourced, and supported, they lead. I’ve seen my peers become leaders and changemakers through these youth programs. These are not just extracurriculars — they’re life-changing. In a time of deep inequality and federal disinvestment, we can’t let billionaires and political elites hoard what our communities need to thrive.”
Small business owner Eyad Zeid, of Nabala Cafe in Uptown, rejected corporate fear-mongering about progressive revenue:
“My business thrives when people in my neighborhood can afford rent, access mental health care, and send their kids to good schools. Progressive revenue isn’t a threat — it’s a solution. When we invest in people, we build a stronger local economy. My customers benefit. My business benefits. Our city benefits.”
Dorris Milton, a child care worker and SEIU HCII member, closed the press conference with a call for bold investment in child care and other vital services:
“When child care jobs are good jobs, we can hire and keep skilled educators. Parents can work knowing their kids are in nurturing, high-quality environments. And children get the early education they need to succeed. That’s why we’re committed to working with Mayor Johnson and the City Council to ensure new, meaningful progressive revenue is part of the FY26 budget.”
The People’s Unity Platform will continue engaging community residents and elected officials across the city to win a budget that puts Babies Before Billionaires and invests in the programs and services our neighborhoods need.
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