CHICAGO (WLS) — In a decisive move, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Tuesday morning his intention to proceed with the alternative budget that the Chicago City Council approved on Saturday. This decision comes despite previous reservations about certain elements of the budget.

In addition to this budgetary advancement, Mayor Johnson enacted two executive orders. One of these orders addresses the sale of city debt, aiming to manage the city’s financial obligations more effectively. The other order pertains to controlling overtime, a crucial aspect of managing the city’s workforce and resources efficiently.

Mayor Johnson assured the public that his actions would not lead to a shutdown of city operations, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the city’s functionality and services. This assurance comes after a period of silence on his part regarding the budget, during which he had only described it as “morally bankrupt.”

A particular point of contention for Johnson is the proposal within the budget to legalize video gaming in the city. Despite this disagreement, he is moving forward, signaling his dedication to finding a balanced path forward for Chicago’s fiscal health.

Before Tuesday, he had remained mum on the matter, other than calling the proposal morally bankrupt. One of the items in the budget that he is against is the legalization of video gaming.

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Nearly 50,000 video gaming terminals are in use in bars, restaurants and other businesses across Illinois.

But those terminals are not in Chicago, where they have remained illegal. That could soon change if the budget approved by 30 alderpersons on Saturday becomes law.

“I border the suburbs. You could go to a pizza place in my ward. And right across the street, you could go to the same pizza place. And you could play video games. So, my businesses have been crying for it,” 38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato said.

Johnson opposes video gaming as it was approved. His budget proposal would limit terminals to Chicago Midway International Airport.

Bally’s, whose temporary location at the Medinah Temple has been underperforming, also opposes legalization, saying video gaming terminals have already cut into casino profits elsewhere across the state.

Those losses, they say, could soon become the city’s, partly because Chicago’s share of the pie would also be lower, especially once Bally’s permanent location in River West is opened.

According to state law, the city gets around 22% of all revenue generated from casinos, but only around 5% of the money earned by VGTs.

“Bally’s staffs to demand. If we’re seeing fewer people come into the casino, we hire fewer people,” Bally’s Governmental Relations Vice President Elizabeth Suever said. “You’re spreading these machines all over the city in ways that doesn’t create jobs, but is also returning a far smaller percentage of the revenues back to the city.”

This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.