Overview
- Mayor Brandon Johnson revised his $21-per-employee monthly head tax to apply only to firms with 200 or more workers, yet Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Finance Chair Pat Dowell remain opposed, with Dowell saying she does not support it at any level.
- Johnson did not introduce the revenue ordinance Friday and plans weekend negotiations, with a Finance Committee hearing expected Monday and a push for a final vote before Thanksgiving.
- The administration proposes raising the cloud and software lease tax to 15%—projected at about $416 million—hiking towing fees, shifting the rideshare charge to a $1.13 flat fee, exempting nonprofits from a mooring hike, restoring library collections funding, fully funding gender-based violence services, and increasing the advance pension payment to $130 million.
- The $16.6 billion spending plan seeks to close a shortfall of roughly $1.1–$1.19 billion and leans on what allies describe as a record TIF surplus, while several aldermen press for deeper efficiencies and potential cuts.
- Some aldermen warn a property tax increase could be pursued if the head tax fails, and Johnson has said rejecting his plan could mean service cuts, layoffs, or higher property taxes.