Chicago Council Pushes Mayor for New Budget
A majority of Chicago's City Council is pressuring Mayor Brandon Johnson to adopt an alternative budget. The move comes after disagreements over the current fiscal plan, though the specific details of the council's proposed budget have not been made public.
- The push for an alternative budget arose from a projected corporate fund gap of $1.15 billion for fiscal year 2026, continuing a multi-year trend of projected shortfalls for the city. - A key point of disagreement was Mayor Johnson's proposal to reinstate a corporate "head tax," which would have charged large businesses a monthly fee per employee. This proposal was ultimately rejected by the City Council. - The council's alternative plan, which ultimately passed, generates revenue through various measures, including legalizing video gambling, increasing the tax on liquor sales, and raising the fee on plastic bags to 15 cents. - The final approved budget also introduces new revenue streams such as a social media amusement tax targeting large tech companies, an increased personal property lease tax, and a higher tax on sports betting. - In a rare move demonstrating a significant power shift in city politics, the City Council passed its own budget with a 30-18 vote, effectively sidelining the mayor's initial proposal. - To avoid a potential government shutdown, Mayor Johnson allowed the council's budget to become law by declining to sign or veto it. - Simultaneously, the mayor issued an executive order to prevent the city from selling off individuals' medical debt to collectors, a provision he called "morally bankrupt" that was included in the council's plan.
