Overview

• The mayor’s office circulated a 61-page memo outlining 26 revenue options, among them property tax tweaks, higher garbage and liquor fees, a revived corporate head tax, a 5% payroll excise, and expanded sales and betting levies.
• Johnson reaffirmed that he will not propose a property tax increase in his draft budget but left open the possibility of approving hikes if aldermen reintroduce them.
• Budget Director Annette Guzman imposed a hiring freeze on noncritical positions, restricted nonessential travel, and capped overtime to curb expenditures ahead of next year’s budget.
• Republican committeeman Jason Proctor warns that reviving the corporate head tax and introducing payroll levies would drive away jobs; Johnson insists business leaders are more focused on safety issues than tax policy.
• The working group meant to advise on budget efficiencies will report by August 31; members say the mayor’s early policy rollout has hindered its consensus-building role.