(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Brandon Johnson showed signs of wavering on the proposed $300 million property tax hike that's part of his proposed $17.3 billion budget for 2025.
The hike is meant to help close a $1 billion budget gap. It would result in about $200 more in annual taxes on a $250,000 home.
More than a dozen Chicago City Council members have signed a letter saying that they will not agree to any increase in property taxes. Even some of Johnson's allies are balking at the tax hike — or at least the size of it.
The mayor said it's possible that the final budget could have a smaller increase than the $300 million outlined in his budget.
"Well, this is a proposal," Johnson said. "I've proposed my budget. It's balanced, the city council's responsibility is to pass it. And I've said from the very beginning that we are open to ideas of new revenues."
In fact, the mayor said there are some ideas already under consideration.
"This is an open discussion," he said. "We're gonna continue to accept ideas. We're gonna build a better, stronger state for Chicago. I want to do that together."
Mayor Johnson said that if City Council members want to talk about a smaller property tax hike in the budget, he is ready to listen.WBBM Newsradio/ Mike Tish
The mayor said the budget still includes investments in the community.
"The point, though, that I want to make sure that everybody is clear about: I made a commitment to invest in the people of Chicago, our young people, workforce, housing, mental health, community safety," he said. "That's in this budget."
Johnson said those things must stay there. The revenue also must be there to pay for those investments at City Hall.
WBBM's Political Editor Craig Dellimore sat down with the mayor Thursday morning at City Hall to discuss the mayor's proposed budget. Listen to the full conversation in this week's At Issue segment at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday on WBBM Newsradio 105.9 FM.
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