Chicago Council Majority Rejects Mayor Johnson’s 2027 Budget Proposal

Overview

• A coalition of 28 aldermen sent Mayor Brandon Johnson a letter on Tuesday saying they will not back his budget as written and that it lacks the 26 votes needed for passage.
• The budget would revive a corporate 'equitable employer' head tax of $25 per month per employee for firms with 125+ workers and raise the personal property lease tax from 15% to 20%, which the city estimates would together yield about $335 million a year.
• The City Council voted 44–6 to apply $75 million in parking‑meter proceeds to a pension payment this year, a move that removes revenue the mayor had counted for 2027 and widens the shortfall.
• The Budget Accountability Coalition says the proposal relies heavily on one‑time money, new borrowing and $119.8 million in unspecified savings, and it is demanding stronger collection of owed debts and recurring cost cuts before any tax increases.
• The mayor’s office says it is reviewing alternatives, but with roughly seven weeks before the statutory year‑end deadline the standoff raises risks to city services, pensions and the fall political calendar.