2 weeks Ago By Mariah Woelfel
A majority of Chicago City Council members are critical of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $300 million property tax increase and want to force a vote on it sooner rather than later, in an apparent effort to send Johnson back to the budget drawing board. A group of 29 alderpersons across the political spectrum are calling a special City Council meeting next Wednesday in hopes of voting on the proposed property tax hike, separate from the rest of the 2025 budget. “This support’s not there for a $300 million property tax increase — it’s just not there,” said Ald.
Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward. “So, the reality is: How do we have a real, candid discussion around how this is going to play out?” The mayor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Johnson backtracked on a campaign promise not to raise property taxes in his $17.
3 billion proposed budget, in which he had to close a nearly $1 billion gap. It represents a 19.5% increase over last year’s property tax levy, according to budget officials.
Homeowners would see an estimated 4.8% increase in the city portion of their property bills. For the owners of a $250,000 home, that would translate to a $222 increase to their tax bill, according to a mayor’s office analysis based on 2023 assessment rates.
Many City Council members were quick to express heartburn over the proposed property tax increase, with some saying they could not support a budget that included one. “My community is against and can’t afford a property tax increase in this way,” said Ald. Jeanette Taylor, 20th Ward, who is among those calling for next week’s meeting.
“We need to work together better to not ask the taxpayers in this way.” Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward, wrote on X (formerly called Twitter) Thursday that the property tax increase needs to be rejected “ASAP, so we can negotiate a real budget that actually has a prayer of passing before the end of 2024.
” Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th Ward, one of Johnson’s closest allies, did not sign the letter, despite previously stating he could not support a property tax increase. Instead, he has urged Johnson to forego a $272 million advanced pension payment to avoid one.
Property tax increases are always voted on separately from the budget, but typically after weeks of budget hearings and at the same time as the overall spending plan. The 2025 property tax increase is currently slated for an initial vote in the City Council’s Finance Committee later this month on Nov. 21.
Alderpersons are currently holding weeks of hearings to assess departments’ proposed budgets. A final budget must be passed by Dec. 31.
Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg cover Chicago government and politics for WBEZ..
