Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise he wouldn’t raise property taxes, but 18 months into office and a billion-dollar budget deficit later, he’s expected to propose an increase.
Johnson is expected to call for an increase at Wednesday’s city council meeting, although details regarding how much remain to be seen.
With the city facing a huge budget deficit for fiscal year 2025, however, it is unclear whether Johnson will be able to garner enough support to pass such a measure.
For such a proposal to be adopted, 26 aldermen must agree. And reaching that figure won’t be easy, as many begrudgingly await the details of Johnson’s plan.
According to Joe Ferguson of the Civic Federation, the city could consider other alternatives, such as layoffs or furloughs, eliminating vacant positions or increasing garbage collection fees.
Even though Johnson announced a hiring freeze last month, unions, which helped elect Johnson, have opposed deep cuts.
The city’s projected budget deficit for fiscal year 2024 is estimated to be about $222.9 million, still lower than previous estimates from earlier in the fiscal year.
With the expiration of COVID aid and other factors taken into account, the fiscal 2025 budget deficit is estimated at $982.4 million, according to the office of city Budget Director Annette Guzman .
The Chicago City Council still has to vote on a new budget for the next fiscal year, but Johnson told reporters he is willing to consider various options to help close the gap.
