City Council to hold special meeting on Mayor Brandon Johnson's property tax proposal
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago City Council plans to gather for a special meeting Thursday afternoon.
At the center of it all, is Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed $300 million property tax hike.
The mayor says it is needed to help avoid layoffs, furloughs, and cuts to other programs.
Many aldermen said they're against the property tax hike.
The mayor is hoping to come to some sort of agreement Thursday with City Council members.
Inching toward the end-of-year deadline to pass the city budget Mayor Brandon Johnson said he's willing to negotiate with city leaders after proposing a $300 dollar property tax hike.
A majority of City Council opposes the steep increase.
Aldermanic sources said behind the scenes negotiations could result in the tax hike being reduced - to as low as $100 million.
The mayor has not confirmed any figures, but during a briefing on Tuesday, said he's open to lowering it.
Mayor Johnson said he wants to avoid layoffs and furloughs, or cuts in youth employment that "invest in people."
Sixth Ward Alderman William Hall said they've been working non-stop the past 72 hours behind closed doors to try to amend the mayor's proposal. And Thursday is a chance for council members to check in.
"This is merely a check-in meeting," Alderman Hall said. "We're not voting on the budget that was presented a few weeks ago. It's not ready because we haven't even heard from every department. So Chicago can calm down. We are still working and I'm confident we'll get there. By the end of the year? Absolutely. I don't see us having a government shut down. I don't see us breaking the backs of Chicagoans, and I don't see us not working together."
Alderman Hall admits this mayor is doing things differently where some say these negotiations should have taken place long before the mayor proposed his budget.
But Hall's confident they'll come to an agreement soon.
He said if it takes until December 31, they'll work until the very last day.
