Emanuel believes Chicago property tax hike plan will pass

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The public was given the chance to weigh in Monday on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to raise property taxes in Chicago, but no residents were there to offer their opinions at a public hearing on the issue.

The mayor says he believe the tax hike will pass.

With a budget vote set for next week, the largest property tax increase in the city's history appears to a done deal. The only question is whether there will be a companion ordinance to assist low income homeowner.

The public hearing was poorly attended not only by homeowners, but also by aldermen. The finance committee chairman said legal notice of it was published in newspapers.

"It's clear that the state law was followed," said Finance Committee Chairman Ald. Edmund Burke.

Mayor Emanuel has proposed raising the city's portion of the property tax by over 70 percent, which is about $500 a year for every $250,000 of a home's appraised value. Most of the money would shore up the police and firefighter pension funds.

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other aldermen are demanding that the tax increase is progressive, accompanied by an ordinance providing rebates to low income homeowners.

"It should," said Alderman Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward. "It should be part and parcel of any tax increase that goes forward."

The mayor said his proposal is as progressive as needed if state lawmakers double tax exemptions which he says would spare the increase for city homeowners whose properties are worth less than $250,000.

"I reluctantly go to property taxpayers to pay more," Emanuel said. "If we do it we're going to do it here and in a way that's fair and progressive."

The mayor's budget director says for now, the administration is focused on exemptions and not rebates.

"With a rebate, homeowners have to come out of pocket first and then get reimbursed," said City budget director Alex Holt. "We know for some low-income homeowners that's going to be difficult."

Meanwhile, Governor Bruce Rauner would not comment on whether he would sign a bill to increase property tax exemptions in the city.

"What the city council can do to protect regular people from this massive property tax increase is a rebate," Ramirez-Rosa said.

Ramirez-Rosa said he counts 21 aldermen who support a tax rebate ordinance. It will take 26 votes to pass such a measure in the city council.

The budget votes are scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.