Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson budget team now pushing $60M property tax hike in effort to pass agreement before end of 2024

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team is pushing a drastically reduced property tax hike in hopes it might get enough votes to get a budget passed before the end of the year.

The latest number is approximately $60 million.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Negotiations have also now eliminated another proposed tax hike that drew a lot of push back.

As the chill of December sets in, many Council members are still not warming up to the idea of a property tax hike of any kind.

“Residents are already squeezed enough, and they cannot afford another property tax,” 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares said.

The mayor’s $300 million property tax hike was voted down 50-to-0, but the latest working plan has cut that down to just $60 million. That’s about the amount it would go up if the mayor took the automatic increase tied to inflation.

“Well, the fact that we started at 300, and we went to 150. Now, we’re maybe talking about 60 is extremely troubling to me. Because, number one, it appears that, you know, we should have started at 60,” 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale said.

The mayor would not talk specifics, saying he won’t negotiate in the media.

But, he made it clear he was dead-set against cuts.

RELATED: Council members propose budget cuts in letter to Chicago mayor to avoid avoid property tax hike

“The people of Chicago say a lot of things to me, but they never say, ‘Mayor Johnson, could you just cut these services? Mayor Johnson can you just lay off more people?” Johnson said.

One alder is proposing the Council be updated on budget data quarterly to avoid the end-of-year scramble now underway.

“Because, if we’re just shooting from the hip at the end of the year, we might find out next year the projections are wildly off, and see a bigger problem,” 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez said.

One proposed revenue source that is off the table now is the increase in the liquor tax, which drew strong opposition from the restaurant industry.

The mayor’s Budget Committee chair predicts some form of property tax increase will eventually pass.

“I think that ultimately we have to fund government at a level that people expect for the services to be continued,” Ald. Jason Ervin said.

For now, the negotiations continue behind the scenes.

“We’re in the midst of negotiations with alders. We’re in the midst of hearing their ideas; we’re in the midst of running numbers based on what they’re asking us,” Budget Director Annette Guzman said.

Johnson said he’s committed to presenting a balanced budget by the end of the year, as required by law, but he stopped short of predicting one would be passed by the City Council to avoid a government shutdown.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Can Trump end birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment upheld in the US constitution since 1868

Will Trump be able to abolish birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment has been safeguarded in the US constitution since 1868.

Donald Trump wants to get rid of 14th Amendment birthright protections as…
Doctors told me my unborn baby wouldn't survive unless I terminated his twin... but I refused

Doctors said my baby wouldn’t survive unless I ended his twin – I didn’t listen

Abigail Whitlock experienced a heartbreaking turn of events during her much-anticipated pregnancy…
Facing Injustice: Daniel Penny Remains 'Optimistic' Even As He Stares Down Possible 4-Year Sentence

Daniel Penny Stays Positive Despite Potential 4-Year Sentence and Injustice

If you’ve missed the news, Penny, a 26-year-old former Marine and aspiring…
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honors: Queen Latifah, The Grateful Dead, more

2024 Kennedy Center Honors lineup includes Queen Latifah and The Grateful Dead

1 1 of 29 Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart of…
Democratic strategist reveals exactly why Kamala lost as he gives dark warning about the party's future

Expert explains why Kamala Harris lost the election and warns about the future of the Democratic Party

A Democratic strategist key to President Obama’s win over John McCain has…
Trump Vows to End Birthright Citizenship and Give 'Dreamers' a Way to Stay in the US

Trump Promises to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship and Provide a Path for ‘Dreamers’ to Remain in the United States

President-elect Donald Trump delved into various immigration topics during an interview with…
MLB star Juan Soto signs 15-year, $765 million contract with New York Mets, largest in professional sports history: ESPN Sources

Juan Soto, MLB standout, secures record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal with New York Mets: ESPN Reports

New York Mets and Juan Soto, the renowned outfielder, have reached a…
‘Reacher’ Sets Season 3 Premiere Date On Prime Video

Season 3 of the show “Reacher” will premiere on Prime Video soon.

Reacher’s back and ready to face his next opponent. A glimpse into…
Missing mom who worked at Walmart discovered dead inside hammock in Alabama forest... two months after she disappeared

Mother who was employed at Walmart found deceased in a hammock in a forest in Alabama after vanishing for two months

An Ohio mother was found dead inside a hammock after vanishing two months…
Breckie Hill addresses Barry Keoghan cheating rumors after actor quits Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter split

Breckie Hill speaks out about Barry Keoghan cheating rumors following actor’s departure from Instagram amid Sabrina Carpenter breakup

OnlyFans star Breckie Hill has addressed the rumors surrounding her alleged involvement…
Light the Line foundation hosts holiday fundraiser to support Chicago Police Department in honor of fallen CPD Officer Ella French

“Fundraiser for Chicago Police Department in Honor of Officer Ella French Hosted by Light the Line Foundation”

A special evening took place on Saturday at Cine City Studios on…
National Christmas Tree Lighting Interrupted by Joe Biden Being a Complete Weirdo

Weekly Recap: Biden’s Surprise Gift to Trump, Unusual Behavior, and Critique of Chuck Todd

Welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing — where we recap the most…