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
‘Scrubs’ Reboot: Everything We Know, From Who Will Star To Which Original Creator Is Returning

“All You Need to Know About the ‘Scrubs’ Reboot: Cast, Returning Creator, and More”

Good news, Scrubs fans: The medical sitcom is finally getting a reboot…
What Day Does ‘Outlander’ Come Out? Where and When To Watch ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Episode 11

When will Season 7 Episode 11 of ‘Outlander’ be released and how can I watch it?

The latest episode of Outlander Season 7, titled “Brotherly Love,” left viewers…
NEW: Trump Announces 'White House AI and Crypto Czar'

UPDATED: Trump Declares ‘Head of AI and Crypto’ for White House

President-elect Donald Trump has made several selections for various Cabinet and administration…
Oak Park shooting: Jerell Thomas accused of shooting, killing Detective Allan Reddins due in court Thursday

“Jerell Thomas to Appear in Court for Alleged Shooting and Killing of Detective Allan Reddins in Oak Park”

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — The man accused of the shooting death…
Chicago City Cruises Chef Francesco Simone shares Gnocchi with Tomato Ragu recipe on Cooking up a Storm

Chef Francesco Simone from Chicago City Cruises teaches how to make Gnocchi with Tomato Ragu on Cooking up a Storm

CHICAGO (WLS) — ABC7 Chicago’s Tracy Butler was Cooking up a Storm…
Yup, the Never-Trump Crowd Is Insufferable

Yes, those who oppose Trump are intolerable

I totally agree, and I would like to add another point to…
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ice Spice, Alix Earle and more

Celebrity Lineup at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024

Art Week is currently happening in Miami Beach, Florida with a plethora…
Chicago business: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner warns industry about new scam with customers ripping off businesses

Beware: Tri-Taylor restaurant owner shares warning about new scam affecting businesses in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A local restaurant owner is alerting others in the…
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Barry Jenkins share the inspiration behind the new music of 'Mufasa: The Lion King' 

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Barry Jenkins reveal the creative influence for the music in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’.

LOS ANGELES — “Mufasa: The Lion King” takes us on a journey…
Houston attorney Michael Howard says he killed his son in 'horrible accident' and then burned Mark's body at Texas lake house

Houston Attorney Michael Howard Says His Son’s Death Was a ‘Horrible Accident’ and Burned His Body at Texas Lake House

HOUSTON, Texas — A Houston attorney has been charged with murdering his…
Catherine Herridge Reveals Story About CBS and Elon Musk That Explains Why Legacy Media Is Imploding

How CBS and Elon Musk are Affecting the Decline of Traditional Media: Catherine Herridge’s Insight

How bad is the media?  We’ve seen a lot of examples of…
UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin traveled from Atlanta before shooting Brian Thompson in brazen Manhattan attack

Assailant of UnitedHealthcare CEO traveled from Atlanta before shooting Brian Thompson in bold Manhattan incident

The individual believed to be the person who shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian…