Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Dismisses Raising Property Taxes Despite CFO’s Report on $1 Billion Budget Gap

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicagoans may have to prepare for higher property taxes, with the city facing a $1 billion deficit.

Chicago’s Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski told Bloomberg that a property tax increase was “likely” due to the budget crisis

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The mayor is minimizing the prospect of increasing property taxes, which isn’t surprising as politicians generally avoid discussing tax hikes unless absolutely necessary.

And given the pushback from the City Council last year, it’s setting the stage for a major budget battle this fall.

The mayor lost a bitter battle over raising property taxes last year when the projected budget deficit was not as bad as the one he is now facing.

And it may not get any better during this upcoming budget season.

“I don’t think Chicagoans trust the mayor with the checkbook, frankly. And I think that that introduction of a property tax increase will get pushed back really hard,” said 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn. “The residents of the 13th Ward have no appetite for a property tax increase.”

At an unrelated news conference, the mayor attempted to retract his chief financial officer’s statement regarding the likelihood of a property tax increase.

“We have a working group that is coming up with a lot of ideas. Some of those ideas have been already pushed through by administration for us to contemplate, and it’s still too early to determine what our ultimate package will look like,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “We’re going to contemplate all ideas, but it is too early at this point to ultimately determine which package will ultimately prevail.”

The mayor could opt for the automatic property tax hike that is tied to inflation but capped at 5%, which could provide him some political cover. But that may not lessen the pushback from alders.

“We need to see some where we’re going to cut in this budget, and residents cannot continue getting squeezed out with taxes and fees. We’re tired of that; they’re always feeling the burden, and it’s not going to be with property taxes,” Ald. Silvana Tabares said.

Last year, the mayor first floated a $300 million property tax hike, but the City Council shot that down 50-to-nothing. He tried reducing it to win votes, but eventually was forced to drop the idea all together.

“So, it’s a flat, ‘no.’ And the mayor hasn’t proved otherwise. He hasn’t come first with a list of reforms. It’s just spend, spend, tax, tax, and I believe the residents of the city of Chicago are done with that,” Quinn said.

Budget season may not really heat up until after the City Council’s August break, but early indications are this will be a contentious fight over city finances.

Some residents expressed their displeasure with the possible hikes.

“The working class should get a break on taxes,” Austin resident Nicole Loury said. “It’s taxes, on top of taxes, on top of taxes, on top of taxes.”

At the popular Mario’s on Taylor Street Wednesday night, folks from around the city enjoyed a cold treat while they were decidedly lukewarm about the idea of higher property taxes.

“I think it’s horrible,” East Garfield Park resident Kenya King said. “I feel like the majority of the people are already having a hard time, and they’re trying to keep their homes.”

The mayor’s budget working group, composed of civic, business and labor leaders, will deliver its recommendations by the end of August ahead of the mayor’s fall budget address.

“If he can show us the case, make a timeline, and tell us exactly what this is paying for, I think that will be, that will make people feel better, like we’re paying taxes for a good reason,” South Loop resident Hamidou Drammeh said.