STATEMENT from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

CHICAGO (Dec. 16, 2024) – Today, the Chicago City Council voted 27 -23 to approve Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17.3 billion budget, propped up by $181.6 million in new taxes.

Johnson originally wanted $300 million from property taxpayers, but was forced to abandon that tactic and raise the bulk of that amount through a litany of tax and fee hikes. Analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute shows the $181.6 million in new taxes include shopping bags, streaming services, parking permits, food licenses, cloud computing, parking garages and rideshare services, as well as new speed cameras. Chicago’s budget has ballooned by $6.6 billion, or nearly 62%, since 2019, according to the institute.

To fill the rest of the $982 million budget deficit, Johnson and City Hall relied on federal aid, fund sweeps, reserves from tax increment financing districts, tax hikes and meager cuts.

Austin Berg, vice president of marketing at the Illinois Policy Institute, offered the following statement: 

“Thousands of Chicago taxpayers voiced their concerns to aldermen and escaped a $300 million property tax hike this year. However, it’s disappointing to see Mayor Brandon Johnson balloon the city’s spending problem instead of committing to sustainable changes. Johnson and his allies in council have worsened the tax and fee burden on already-struggling residents and businesses. Their decisions to grow the debt and rely on one-time gimmicks will be disastrous for future budgets.

“Residents should be encouraged by the unprecedented independence of the City Council in pushing for commonsense reforms throughout the budget process, and in particular Ald. Gil Villegas’ call on the floor today for a city charter. Chicago is the only major city that lacks a city charter, or municipal constitution, which would ensure crucial guardrails and greater transparency in future city budgets.

“Unfortunately, as the last of the pandemic relief runs out, City Hall has yet to meaningfully address the city’s over-spending problem, opting to hit residents and businesses with more taxes and fees. Residents have repeatedly voiced opposition to new taxes. City leaders would’ve been wise to listen.”  

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.