Chicago Board of Election Commissioners – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

The Board of Election Commissioners is established under state elections law and technically is part of the judicial branch, but receives operational funding from the City of Chicago. BoEC oversees Chicago's polling places and ballot processes, including vote-by-mail.

Departmental Highlights

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget

• Board of Election Commissioners appropriations are cyclical, with expenses rising in preparation for election years and dropping off after. A significant portion of the department's election-year workforce is temporary hires, while permanent staff levels stay relatively consistent year-to-year.
• Headcount remained steady, with the only staffing changes proposed retitling/promotions. Two "Polling Place Investigator II" positions have been replaced with "Polling Place Investigator III."
• As is typical after an election year, BoEC's overall appropriations are down significantly, with large decreases in the telephone billing, legal expenses, extra hire, and overtime categories that the department relies on for elections operations.
• Rental of property and outside graphic services saw the largest net increases, with graphic services in particular up $448,800, a 248% increase from the previous year.

Historical Context

Board of Election Commissioners appropriations are cyclical, with expenses rising in preparation for election years and dropping off after. A significant portion of the department's election-year workforce is temporary hires, while permanent staff levels stay relatively consistent year-to-year.

From 2011-2024, the department budget grew at an average rate of 6.1% per year, driven by large investments in the most recent election cycles. Departmental budgets overall increased an average of 6.1% per year over the same time period, while the total city budget including Finance General appropriations grew at an average rate of 8.5% annually.

The department's budgeted workforce declined at a rate of roughly -0.1% annually from 2011-2023. Overall budgeted positions for the city remained relatively flat across the same time period, with minor year-to-year fluctuations averaging out to an overall growth rate of 0.04%.

Staffing

Headcount remained steady, with the only staffing changes proposed retitling/promotions. Two "Polling Place Investigator II" positions have been replaced with "Polling Place Investigator III."

Appropriations

The city's contribution to the Board of Elections Commissioners is entirely funded from the corporate fund.

Largest Appropriations

Salaries and wages are the BoEC's largest appropriation category. Most of the rest of its budget is made up of outside contracting and equipment/technology related categories.

Change from Previous Year

As is typical after an election year, BoEC's overall appropriations are down significantly, with large decreases in the telephone billing, legal expenses, extra hire, and overtime categories that the department relies on for elections operations.

Rental of property and outside graphic services saw the largest net increases, with graphic services in particular up $448,800, a 248% increase from the previous year.

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