Chicago City Council votes down tax hike

In a decisive move, the City Council unanimously voted 50-0 to reject Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $300m property tax increase, signaling a shift in political power. Ald. Marty Quinn remarked, “This is a defeat of epic proportions,” highlighting the growing independence of the Council. The vote came amid negotiations to find alternative revenue sources, including potential increases in various taxes and the use of federal pandemic relief funds. Johnson, who described the tax increase as a strategy to prompt serious discussions, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to budgeting. He stated, “As a public school teacher, sometimes we do things to get people’s attention.” The Council’s action reflects constituents’ frustrations over rising costs and the mayor’s declining approval ratings.