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The city is expected to spend more than $18 billion in the
current fiscal year. Wednesday, Johnson gave his budget proposal
for the spending plan to begin Jan. 1. The city faces nearly $1
billion in deficits.
Johnson said taxpayer spending continues as he works to find
efficiencies, but pushed back against any mass layoffs or
reductions in city services.
“That is why this budget currently includes a property tax
increase of $300 million to fund and keep our commitment to fund
not just our pension contributions but to fund the future of our
city,” Johnson said.
The mayor noted families in the city are already faced with
their own financial issues from the cost of food and child care.
“I know adding to those tough choices is not easy, but this was
the best option that I had at this time,” Johnson said
Johnson blamed “the ultra rich and corporations” for advocating
against a Chicago tax increase on property sales and a
progressive state income tax voters have rejected.
At an unrelated event in Chicago Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker,
who supported the failed progressive state income tax, said the
state continues to increase the amount of tax dollars going to
local governments, including Chicago.
“People feel like there isn’t ever enough but property taxes are
already too high,” Pritzker said.
Illinois already has among the highest property taxes in the
country.
“I understand though that there is stress in the city budget,
but they have to figure out, I have talked about the need for
efficiencies,” Pritzker said.
Johnson told the city council his administration has already
found $300 million in efficiencies in the budget that faces
nearly $1 billion in deficits.
Budget hearings are expected to start sometime next month. |
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