US EditionChicago Budget Showdown: Alders Introduce Alternative Budget Plan, Defying Mayor Brandon Johnson
A majority of alderpeople propose legalizing video gaming terminals and raising liquor and garbage fees to replace the mayor’s corporate head tax, projecting $48.4 million in new revenue.
- On Wednesday, a majority of alderpeople formally introduced an alternative 2026 budget package to Chicago City Council to avoid Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed corporate head tax, with twenty-seven supporting the amended revenue ordinance.
- Tensions over revenue sources and borrowing to cover firefighter backpay have driven alderpeople to propose an alternative, with a Dec. 15 meeting scheduled to resolve the stalemate before the Dec. 31 deadline.
- The ordinance would add a three percent retail liquor fee and raise the monthly garbage fee to $15, down from $18, with the current fee at $9.50 for property owners.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated he would veto any budget with an increased garbage fee and remains committed to the head tax, while alderpeople face a steep hurdle to get 34 votes to override a veto.
- In an attempt to force more negotiations, Ald. Anthony Beale moved to schedule four full City Council meetings next week and one on Dec. 23, while aldermen cautioned the revenue proposal could see further revisions.
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9 Articles
Chicago mayor warns of budget ‘chaos,’ end-of-life options bill on gov’s desk
(The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides highlights from Wednesday's Chicago City Council meeting where residents shared their
Daywatch: Aldermen forge ahead with counterproposal to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget
Good morning, Chicago. Aldermen officially threw their budget cards on the table yesterday by introducing their own 2026 package to the City Council, the clearest sign yet they believe they don’t need Mayor Brandon Johnson to solve the current impasse on next year’s spending plan. The high-stakes game of chicken between the freshman mayor and his council antagonists — including some of his own committee leaders — now moves from the dueling news …
Alders, Mayor Johnson Tweak Budget Proposals — But Shutdown Looms As Impasse Continues – Block Club Chicago
Most of the proposed $16.6 billion 2026 budget is not controversial. The stalemate between Johnson and various factions of the City Council comes down to a few key issues, especially the proposed corporate head tax.
Chicago Budget Showdown: Alders introduce alternative budget plan, defying Mayor Brandon Johnson
27 Chicago alders have introduced their own budget plan, which does not include the corporate head tax proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, and would instead raise the garbage collection fee, tax shared housing units, and collect revenue from video gaming machines.
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