Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a month and a half to pass a new city budget, but he’s back to the drawing board after rejecting a $300 million property tax increase.
A majority of Chicago City Council members signed letters rejecting the proposal, forcing Johnson to pivot in his negotiations for a budget that will close the gap on large deficits.
Johnson, describing himself as “the aide-in-chief,” said he was ready to discuss the budget but stressed that his core priorities remained unchanged, and that included ruling out job cuts.
“We’re going to have to find progressive solutions for the entire state,” he said.
City council members cautioned that they were not completely ruling out a property tax increase, but Johnson said he was committed to keeping his campaign promises to govern with progressive values as his guide.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a $300 million property tax increase in his 2025 budget, with many city council members expressing opposition. Mary Ann Ahern of NBC Chicago reports.
“Should the people of Chicago know that I am serious about solving this problem? Absolutely, I’m serious,” he said. “That’s why we put forward this proposal in the first place, and that’s why we’re not dictating the outcome of this budget.”
Several Chicago City Council members spoke out this week on the proposed budget, saying shortcuts must be ruled out in favor of longer-term solutions.
“If he doesn’t make budget cuts, if he doesn’t make efficiencies, if he doesn’t make structural changes, the rating agencies are going to look at that and say that’s not a sustainable way to run this city,” said Ald. » said Scott Waugespack.
Ald. Andres Vasquez said city residents understand the need to generate revenue to fund key city services, but stressed it is a compromise.
“I think the public wants us to do our due diligence, so we can go back to our neighbors and say ‘we’ve done everything we can to tighten the rules, but we still need revenue to pay for services ‘” he said.
Among the proposals included in the budget negotiations are higher fees for purchasing alcohol, taxes on streaming services and municipal stickers for vehicles.
“Those ideas that are on the table, our team will explore and listen to them,” Johnson said. “My values are clear. We don’t compromise on them. We negotiate the details within the framework of these values.
