Bruising Budget Battle Should Serve as Wake-Up Call

A Mayor’s Leadership Tested

The city has a revenue and spending plan for the coming year, but getting it approved was contentious, and even the mayor’s most loyal supporters are telling him to work on his leadership.

Fractured City Council

“How we do things is just as important as what we do, and the way you’ve led this process has left the City Council fractured,” Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward) told Mayor Brandon Johnson during Monday’s meeting.

Need for Unity

“As your senior alderperson in this city, I’m telling you, you got to bring everybody together,” Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward) added.

Mayor’s Response

Despite the City Council’s feedback and a close 27-23 budget vote, Johnson insists there’s not a problem.

Historical Context

“My number has not changed. Everybody still has it,” he said. “We’re better at receiving input from alders. Historically, as you know, many alders weren’t invited into this process.”

Budget Details

The budget that passed was the Johnson administration’s fourth proposal, with the first including a $300 million property tax increase that alders unanimously shot down. The mayor then sought a $150 million hike but backed off when it became clear alders had no appetite for it. He then pushed a $68.5 million increase that was also a no-go.

Tax Increases and Cuts

In addition to property taxes, the mayor tried for a 34 percent increase in the liquor tax that also did not make it into the final budget. But many under-the-radar tax increases and cuts did, including an increase on the tax on personal property leases, such as cloud computing and car leases. Additionally, the budget increases the city’s amusement tax, raises the tax on checkout bags at the grocery store, and hikes the tax on various license fees and residential parking permits.

Eliminated Programs

The budget eliminated $74 million from guaranteed basic income and some small-business programs.

Criticisms

Critics say the new revenue is short-term fix and that much more work must be done to shrink the size of government. The mayor’s long-term solution: additional funding from the state.

Mayor’s Commitment

“If we don’t go together — and I’m committed to going together to Springfield — to fight for progressive revenue, we’re not going to be able to continue to make the type of investments that we’ve made thus far,” he said.

Conclusion

The bruising budget battle should serve as a wake-up call for the mayor to re-evaluate his leadership style and approach to working with the City Council. The city’s residents deserve better, and it’s time for the mayor to step up and bring the city together.

FAQs

Q: What was the final budget proposal?
A: The final budget proposal was the Johnson administration’s fourth proposal, which did not include a property tax increase.

Q: What tax increases and cuts were included in the budget?
A: The budget included increases on the tax on personal property leases, amusement tax, checkout bags at the grocery store, and various license fees and residential parking permits. It also eliminated $74 million from guaranteed basic income and some small-business programs.

Q: What is the mayor’s long-term solution to the city’s budget issues?
A: The mayor’s long-term solution is to secure additional funding from the state.