City Budget Director Resigns, Leaves ShowerGate Legacy

By Hunter Clauss in News on Dec 5, 2008 8:00PM

Mayor Daley’s budget director bowed out yesterday and, boy, did he pick a great time to resign. Bennett Johnson III told the Sun-Times that his decision is nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to the time line of budget directors. “Look at the history of budget directors. It’s two budget seasons and out. That’s just the way it goes. It's a tough and demanding job. I've done a lot to try and help the city, but it’s time to move on. It is truly and absolutely for my own personal reasons,” Johnson said.

While some may remember Johnson and his team of number crunchers for providing two of the most difficult budget plans in years, which called for a record number of tax increases, others may remember him for the installation of a $5,400 shower in his City Hall office. The incident, dubbed ShowerGate by the Trib’s John Kass , happened in February when the city raised taxes and fees by $293 million. Johnson defended the purchase by saying the money came out of his own pocket and that he needed the shower because he likes to ride his bicycle to work. Johnson told the Sun-Times’s Fran Spielman that he doesn’t understand why ShowerGate was such a big deal. “People just don't get where I come from. In the private sector, you get private showers and private gym memberships. It’s just what I’m used to. That’s why I didn't think it was such a big deal,” he said.

Mayor Daley can now choose an interim budget director or find a permanent appointee.

Photo taken from City of Chicago