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
Dexter Reed Chicago: Questions surround city's settlement with mom of man killed in Garfield Park police shooting

Uncovering the details of the settlement between Dexter Reed’s mother and the city of Chicago after Garfield Park police shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dexter Reed was struck 13 times after four Chicago…
Christmas tree ship Chicago: US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw delivers 1.2K Christmas trees to Navy Pier from Cheboygan, Michigan

US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw Brings 1.2K Christmas Trees to Navy Pier from Cheboygan, Michigan for Christmas Tree Ship Chicago

The spirit of Christmas was brought to Navy Pier by the United…
A Sad Tim Walz is ‘Surprised’ He and Kamala Lost, Blames America for Rejecting Their ‘Positive Message’

Tim Walz expresses disappointment and shock over his and Kamala’s loss, attributing it to America rejecting their optimistic message.

Suffice it to say there is no joy in Walzville. Mighty Kamala,…
'Corrosive Damage': FBI Arrests Boston City Council Member on Corruption Charges Involving Her Family

Boston City Council Member Arrested by FBI for Corruption Linked to Her Family

There are numerous stories about corruption involving Democrats in major cities nationwide,…
South Korean president declares emergency martial law, accusing opposition of anti-state activities

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea Escapes Impeachment Following Brief Martial Law Situation

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol managed to…
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's latest budget proposal includes property tax hike, eliminates guaranteed basic income program

“Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes Property Tax Increase and Cuts Guaranteed Basic Income Program”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team in Chicago is sharing…
Judge makes shock decision over Delta stowaway Svetlana Dali as new details emerge about her

New Details Revealed as Judge Makes Unexpected Decision in Delta Stowaway Svetlana Dali’s Case

The stowaway who hid on a flight from New York to Paris…
Princess Eugenie skips Kate Middleton's big night at Westminster Abbey - and this could be why

The Potential Reason Princess Eugenie was Absent from Kate Middleton’s Event at Westminster Abbey

One member of the royal family who did not attend the Princess…
Bizarre detail in photo of Trump greeting French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Strange element in picture of Trump welcoming French president Macron as he arrives in Paris for Notre-Dame reopening

Donald Trump awkwardly shook hands with the leader of France during a visit to…
What Movie Should I Watch Tonight? ‘Interstellar’ on Paramount+

Which Film to Watch Tonight: ‘Interstellar’ on Paramount+

As we near the end of the year, the big movies at…
Disgusting allegations made against Kentucky judge shot dead in his office by sheriff

Kentucky judge, accused of misconduct, fatally shot by sheriff in his office

According to a witness’s statement to police, a Kentucky judge who was…
NFL ends review of sexual assault allegations levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson in sexual assault case

NFL closes investigation into sexual assault accusations against Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, in sexual assault lawsuit.

The NFL has concluded its investigation into the sexual assault accusations made…