Legislative Budget Analyst (Policy Team)

Position Overview

The City Council Office of Financial Analysis (COFA) provides the Chicago City Council with independent, objective, and high-quality analysis of the City’s budget, revenues, expenditures, and other financial and budget research support. COFA is seeking a highly motivated Legislative Budget Analyst (Policy Team) who is committed to good government, data-informed decision-making, and strengthening the Council’s capacity for fiscal oversight. The Legislative Budget Analyst will play a key role in conducting research, analyzing City operations, and preparing written products that support Council members in understanding complex financial and operational issues. This position requires strong analytical skills, clear and concise writing, and the ability to translate technical or highly detailed information into neutral, accessible explanations. This is a full-time position based in Chicago, IL. Candidates must live within City limits.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research and analysis related to City of Chicago operations, budgets, programs, and financial policies.
• Review departmental budgets, financial statements, and revenue projections.
• Support the production of mandated COFA reports, fiscal notes, budget analyses, and policy briefs.
• Respond to Aldermanic requests by developing clear, objective summaries and analyses of budget or policy questions.
• Synthesize complex information from City departments, financial documents, and external data sources into well-structured, neutral written products.
• Perform both qualitative and quantitative analysis, including data validation, descriptive statistics, and comparative research.
• Contribute to cross-team projects, analytical models, and data visualization efforts.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy, neutrality, and technical rigor in all written work.
• Participate in meetings, briefings, and hearings as needed to support Council members and COFA leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Strong research, writing, and analytical skills demonstrated through work experience, academic work, or prior public-sector roles. Ability to translate complex budgetary or operational information into clear, concise, and neutral language. Experience conducting both qualitative and quantitative research. Comfort working with spreadsheets, financial data, and public-sector datasets. Commitment to nonpartisan, objective analysis and COFA’s role as an independent research office.
• Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree (MPP, MPA, MA/MS in Economics, Finance, or related field). Experience with financial or bond market analysis or municipal financial auditing. Knowledge of municipal finance, budgeting, or Chicago-specific government operations. Familiarity with public budgeting processes, fiscal policy, or government program evaluation.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Excellent communicators, able to write clearly, concisely, and neutrally for a policymaking audience.
• Analytically curious, eager to dig into budgets, operations, and data to understand how the City works.
• Detail-oriented and rigorous, maintaining accuracy and objectivity in all work products.
• Mission-driven, motivated by public service, transparency, and improving government through data-informed decision-making.
• Collaborative team members, able to work with colleagues in a small, high-performing office environment.