In a precarious moment for the arts, Chicago’s cultural department could see funding decline

In a rocky era for arts groups, funding for Chicago’s cultural affairs department would decrease slightly under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget for next year.

At a City Hall budget hearing Tuesday night, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events acting commissioner Kenya Merritt said the department — which produces some of the city’s most popular Downtown events, like Taste of Chicago and Jazz Fest — is “entering a new chapter focused on collaboration and accountability.”

Merritt, one of Johnson’s deputy mayors, was tapped to lead the department after Johnson’s hand-picked commissioner and longtime friend, Clinée Hedspeth, resigned last month . That departure capped a tumultuous tenure that included high staff turnover and allegations of bullying and sexual harassment , a