Ald. Andre Vasquez (40) submitted a 229-page budget appropriation proposal that would hike fines for health and building code violations to pay for more mental health and homelessness services. [Alex V. Hernandez/Block Club Chicago]

Chicago’s budget process unfolds along the same lines every year: the mayor comes out with a top-to-bottom spending plan for the next year and aldermen push for tweaks, ultimately deciding whether to register dissent when it comes up for a final vote.

This year, one member of the City Council is trying to upend that routine.