(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is optimistic that the courts will allow the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum to remain on the March 19 primary ballot, despite a judge’s ruling last week.
Johnson said he was disappointed when a judge ruled the measure – designed to change the real-estate transfer tax to raise money for the homeless -- was unconstitutional. But he says his administration and others are fighting to have that ruling overturned.
“This is going to address a very important issue that the people of Chicago want to see addressed – which is our homelessness crisis in Chicago,” the mayor said Monday.
Some legal analysts have suggested the language could be tweaked to have a better chance on the November ballot. But Johnson said he’s focused on winning the battle at hand.
The fact that the ballot question proposes raising one part of the tax and lowering another was one reason opponents called it unconstitutional.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram