2026 Preliminary Budget Overview

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $21 per employee corporate “head tax” – Illinois Policy

Businesses in Chicago already pay the third-highest state corporate income tax rates in the nation. They also pay the highest commercial property taxes in the U.S.

2026 Preliminary Budget Overview

Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget for the City of Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 16. As in previous years, BGA Policy will release a series of department-specific budget snapshots ahead of the departmental budget hearings in City Council.  The following is a preliminary summary of the overall budget and some of its major highlights. Sign up for our Budget Snapshots newsletter to receive detailed analyses of individual department…

Mayor Johnson’s tax-heavy budget built for shift to digital economy, top adviser says

Amid an expected backlash from the business community, mayoral adviser Jason Lee says there's room to negotiate bigger taxes on cloud computing software and online sports betting as well as a revived employee head tax.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Seeks to Punish Businesses for Hiring Employees by Reviving ‘Head Tax’

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes a head tax for large businesses, raising concerns about job growth.