Chicago mayors have grown accustomed to dictating the way the city raises and spends its money. But Mayor Brandon Johnson learned the hard way a year ago how much times have changed.

Johnson’s $17.1 billion 2025 budget squeaked through the City Council by a 27 to 23 vote after a protracted stalemate in which council members unanimously rejected his proposed $300 million property tax increase, and refused to support a property tax hike of any size.

On Thursday, the budget marathon starts all over again.

Johnson will stand before an emboldened City Council to outline his plan to erase a $1.15 billion shortfall after promising to deliver on his pledge to “challenge the ultra-rich” and corporations that benefited from President Donald Trump’s tax cuts to “pay their fair share in taxes.”

An

See Full Page