28 Chicago Aldermen Tell Mayor Johnson His 2027 Budget Lacks the Votes, Citing an $882 Million Gap
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget drew public opposition from a majority of the City Council on November 10. A coalition of 28 aldermen, calling itself the Budget Accountability Coalition, wrote to Johnson the same day saying the budget does not currently have the 26 votes needed to pass and must be substantially revised. The letter says the plan relies heavily on one-time revenue and borrowing, rather than sustainable revenue sources, to close a gap of about $882 million. The aldermen’s core objections include a proposed charge of $25 per employee per month on companies with more than 125 workers, and raising the personal property lease transaction tax from 15 percent to 20 percent, an increase of one third. They also noted that the city inspector general previously found Chicago is owed more than $8.1 billion, and the city comptroller estimates about $3 billion of that is collectible or was incurred within the past seven years, arguing the city should collect what it is owed before raising taxes on businesses and residents. Under city rules, Chicago must pass a new fiscal-year budget within 51 days. The mayor’s office has not yet responded to the letter.
Source: FOX 32 Chicago
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 芝加哥市政厅外景。（CC BY 2.0，ajay_suresh 摄，经 Wikimedia Commons）
