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Alternative Chicago budget proposal advances
Another day closer to a city government shutdown and still no budget in sight. City Council members are wheeling and dealing once again today, but will it finally yield an agreement?
CHICAGO – With the city inching closer to a government shutdown, Chicago officials still have no budget agreement in sight.
The City Council returned to negotiations Tuesday, raising the question of whether another round of deal-making will finally produce a compromise.
What we know:
A freshly drafted alternative budget proposal cleared a key hurdle Tuesday, advancing out of the City Council’s Finance Committee on a 22–13 vote.
Opposition alderpersons formally introduced the plan before the committee, proposing to eliminate a higher garbage collection fee and revise a rideshare congestion fee. Their plan would add a 5-cent bag tax and generate revenue by selling advertising space on bridge houses and light poles.
Allies of Mayor Brandon Johnson urged caution, asking for time to review the competing proposal before any vote.
Opposition members said their top priority is preventing a corporate head tax they argue would stifle job growth. Johnson has stood firmly behind the tax, which would impose a $33-per-employee fee on companies with more than 500 workers.
The mayor maintains there is no evidence the measure would harm Chicago’s economy.
Opposition alderpersons now appear to hold a clear majority and may be nearing the 34 votes required for a supermajority capable of overriding a potential mayoral veto.
What’s next:
City officials must approve a budget by the end of the year. The council has scheduled a meeting for Saturday as a contingency if negotiations remain unresolved.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX 32’s Paris Schutz.