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
Father Nicholas Jones arrested in shooting death of son Princeton Nicholas Jones in Compton, California

Father arrested in Compton, California for shooting his son

COMPTON, Calif. — A father has been arrested in connection with the…
Bombshell development in trial of drunk driver Jamie Lee Komoroski who killed bride on her wedding night

“Major Revelations in Trial of Jamie Lee Komoroski, Drunk Driver Who Fatally Struck Bride on Wedding Night”

A drunk driver has admitted crashing into a newlywed and killing her…
Pregnant Gisele Bundchen kisses Joaquim Valente on romantic trip to ex Tom Brady's favorite vacation spot

Gisele Bundchen, who is pregnant, shares a romantic kiss with Joaquim Valente during a vacation to a cherished destination of her ex-husband Tom Brady.

Pregnant Gisele Bundchen was pictured kissing boyfriend Joaquim Valente on a romantic…
Joe Biden Just Handed Donald Trump the Mother of All Mandates

Joe Biden has just given Donald Trump an incredibly important mandate.

Donald Trump must be currently at Mar-a-Lago, finding amusement while sipping on…
Princess of Wales returns to official duties after cancer treatment as she joins Prince William in ceremonial welcome for Emir of Qatar's state visit - but Queen Camilla misses occasion for health reasons

Princess of Wales resumes official duties after cancer treatment, accompanies Prince William in welcoming Emir of Qatar during state visit, while Queen Camilla is absent due to health issues

The Princess of Wales has accompanied the royal family to receive the…
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger retires; David Zinsner and Johnston Holthaus named interim co-CEOs

Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel, steps down; Interim co-CEOs appointed.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired, with David…
Great Lakes region gets yet more snow after a weekend of snarled Thanksgiving travel

More snow falls in the Great Lakes area following a weekend of disrupted Thanksgiving travel.

A fresh round of snow hit the Great Lakes region on Monday,…
St Charles shooting: Chainsaw-wielding man killed by police at River Glen of St. Charles ID'd as Daniel H. Escalera, officials say

Police in St. Charles fatally shoot man wielding chainsaw at River Glen identified as Daniel H. Escalera, authorities confirm

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (WLS) — A chainsaw-wielding man was shot and killed…
Kourtney Kardashian shares racy throwback Christmas snaps to welcome December

Kourtney Kardashian posts revealing old Christmas photos to kick off December

Kourtney Kardashian shared sexy Christmas throwbacks on her Instagram page on Sunday…
Apple accused of spying on employees' iPhones in new lawsuit

Lawsuit alleges Apple is monitoring employees’ iPhones

Apple has been accused of illegally monitoring its workers’ personal iPhones and…
Americans reveal their VERY strong reactions to Biden pardoning Hunter before he leaves office

Americans share their intense feelings about Biden granting Hunter a pardon just before he finishes his term

Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, has stirred controversy among…
Harry and Meghan put on united front in behind-the-scenes 2024 video - as they reveal Archewell received $5m from mystery donor and paid out $1.3m to charitable causes

Harry and Meghan present a united front in 2024 video, revealing $5m donation to Archewell and $1.3m distributed to charitable causes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have put on a united front in…