The Chicago City Council narrowly passed a hotly contested $830 million infrastructure bond plan Wednesday backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Aldermen approved the plan in a 26 to 23 vote a day after Johnson’s administration proposed a version with clearer spending guardrails.

But the mayor was forced to cast another tie-breaking vote to avoid having the decision on his bond issue put off even longer.

After a long impassioned debate and some stalling tactics, the vote was 26 to 23 to approve borrowing $830 million to repair and maintain Chicago’s roadways, bridges, and more.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's $830 million bond proposal for infrastructure projects in Chicago will be voted on Wednesday, with the city potentially dipping into its reserves if Chicago Public Schools fail to cover a $175 million pension payment.

Chicago’s City Council on Wednesday approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s controversial proposal to sell $830 million in bonds for infrastructure costs despite concerns about the debt’s delayed repayment schedule and who would get to use the proceeds.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team is offering aldermen language clarifying that the money will not be used for purposes other than infrastructure repairs and upgrades.