Our message is breaking through — and Chicago is taking notice.

The Chicago Tribune has just featured Leading a Better Chicago’s newly released poll on the city’s finances, including an interview with our founder Bill Quinlan. The timing is critical, coming just days before Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils his budget and as Chicago’s fiscal crisis deepens.

The poll, conducted by Hart Research, highlights the urgency Chicagoans feel for honest leadership and real solutions:

• 71% of voters fear bankruptcy is a real possibility if the budget crisis isn’t resolved.
• 83% say city leaders have not been honest about the scope of the problem.
• A majority have little or no confidence in the Mayor or City Council to fix it.

These findings confirm what we hear in every neighborhood: Chicagoans are ready for transparency, accountability, and bold leadership.

In just two months, Leading a Better Chicago has launched, attracted support from nearly 1,000 donors, commissioned this eye-opening poll, and already begun shaping the civic debate. And we’re just getting started.

Read the full press release here.