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
‘Skeleton Crew’ Creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford Praise Jude Law’s Ability To Wrangle His Child Co-Stars: “Like Having A Co-Director With Us”

Jon Watts and Christopher Ford, the Minds Behind ‘Skeleton Crew,’ Applaud Jude Law’s Skill in Managing Young Co-Stars: “He’s Like Another Director on Set”

Skeleton Crew co-creators Jon Watts and Christopher Ford cannot believe they got…
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…
UPDATED: Shooter of United Healthcare CEO Used Fake ID to 'Become a Ghost' Before Attack; Backpack Found

UPDATED: Assailant of United Healthcare CEO Goes Under the Radar with Fake ID, leaving Backpack Behind

“He attempted to disappear as a ghost, essentially, and the strategy he…
Can you tell which celebrities were high school cheerleaders from their yearbook photos?

Identify the celebrities who were cheerleaders in high school based on their yearbook pictures.

Celebrities may be known for their wealth, fame, and status in Hollywood,…
Oak Park shooting: Candlelight vigil honors fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins; Chicago man Jerell Thomas accused of murder

Honoring Fallen Police Detective Allan Reddins at Candlelight Vigil in Oak Park: Jerell Thomas from Chicago Charged with Murder

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A community came together Friday evening to…
‘Outlander’ Stars Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin Won’t Reveal if the Lallybroch Renovations Will Ever Be Finished: “Don’t Get Me Started” 

‘Outlander’ Cast Members Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin Keep Mum on Completion of Lallybroch Renovations: “I’d Rather Not Talk About It”

The latest episode of Outlander, Season 7 Episode 11 “A Hundredweight of…
Hannah Kobayashi now the target of FBI investigation into green card scam as family fights over GoFundMe riches

“Hannah Kobayashi Under FBI Investigation for Alleged Green Card Scam Amid Family Dispute Over GoFundMe Funds”

An FBI investigation is now focusing on Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman…
Schiff Steps Down! Notorious Democrat House Member Gets a Promotion.

Schiff Resigns! Well-Known Democratic House Rep Receives Promotion.

Elections carry significant consequences. Amidst the celebrations and reflections on the results…
I'm Old Enough to Remember When the Bloodthirsty Left Told Americans to Shut Up About Health Care

I Remember When Liberal Critics Urged Americans to Be Quiet About Health Care

Back then, terms like crap sandwiches and porkulus were widely used in…
FLOTUS Return: Melania Shares Thoughts on Trump 2.0 - and Those New Dance Moves

Melania Trump Shares Thoughts on Trump 2.0 and Her New Dance Moves

In her initial official interview after her husband’s remarkable reelection to the…
Elon Musk spent over $270 million to help re-elect Trump, here's what he spent it on

Elon Musk used more than $270 million to support Trump’s re-election campaign – Discover where the money went

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, invested more than $250…
Revealed: The celebrities racking up the most private jet air miles in 2024 (and Taylor Swift isn't number one)

Top Celebrities with the Most Private Jet Air Miles in 2024 (and Taylor Swift is not at the top)

The celebrity leaderboard for private jet usage by miles in 2024 has…