NO MINCING WORDS: Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a property tax hike that would generate a hefty $300 million but also allow the city to avoid layoffs or furloughs in order to plug a nearly $1 billion deficit. “This is tough. It’s something I grappled with for weeks. We didn’t make this decision lightly,” he told the Chicago City Council on Wednesday. The mayor had campaigned on not raising property taxes, but the financial circumstances forced him to change course. Who will feel it most: Homeowners, landlords and anyone who owns a building. Hitting the wallet: Owners of a $250,000 home would see a $222 increase to their tax bill, according to a mayor’s office. Owners of a $360,000 home would see an increase of $345, and a $500,000 home would see a $481 increase. Landing with a thud: Some City Council members say their constituents aren’t in a position to take on more taxes. “A property tax increase in our community is not something we can afford,” Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, a close ally of the mayor, said to reporters’ surprise. More details: Along with a property tax hike, the mayor wants to use tax increment financing and an increase on alcohol sales to help the city make ends meet. RELATED Negotiating tactic? A dozen aldermen called attention to the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, urging the mayor to reconsider bringing it back. Pay hikes: “The proposed budget shows Mayor Johnson is rejecting a 4.1 percent pay hike, along with Alds. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez and Byron Sigcho Lopez. Meanwhile, City Clerk, City Treasurer and remaining 48 alderpersons all plan to accept the automatic raise,” via WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg. From Crain’s: “Johnson stands little chance of finding 26 votes on the budget with his closest allies working against it,” by Justin Laurence. From the Block Club: “Johnson’s budget recommendations will now be vetted by alderpeople through a series of departmental meetings over the next few weeks. The City Council must pass a balanced budget by the end of the year, as required by state law,” by Quinn Myers. From the Tribune: “In keeping with his messaging on racial equity, Johnson repeatedly highlighted the struggles of Black Chicagoans ... while touting his $1.25 billion bond plan that includes investments in affordable housing. 'We’re going to keep building,’” by Alice Yin, A.D. Quig and Jake Sheridan. From the Sun-Times: Johnson summarily dismissed the idea of asking his allies in organized labor to swallow a pay cut by taking unpaid furlough days, by Fran Spielman From WBEZ: “Overall, roughly 18 percent of Chicago’s $17.3 billion budget would be spent on “public safety” departments including police, fire, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the Chicago Police Board, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, the Office of Public Safety Administration, and COPA,” by Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg The Triibe: “Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) said [council members] have to figure out places to make additional cuts to avoid a $300 million property tax hike. She chairs the City Council’s finance committee,” by Corli Jay and Tonia Hill. More takes from ABC 7, NBC 5 and WGN 9 The full budget report is here. The mayor’s prepared remarks are here.
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