At Q&A, Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for “a more enriched conversation around how local control over progressive revenue streams can meet the demands of this moment.” He says in follow-up he means giving the city power to pass taxes that would normally go thru state legislature pic.twitter.com/bnVCOZ3bCw
Yes, the current options available to local governments are too regressive and broad based. Sales and property taxes are really only options. Cities should be permitted to enact progressive property taxation, income taxes, etc. Residents have direct say in these policies via their local elected officials. Progressive property taxation should be permitted.
Oh yes-Can you see the campaign adds- Hi - I am JB Pritzker-the governor who signed the legislation allowing folks like Brandon Johnson to raise your taxes so he can spend even more on his social programs- vote for me to be your next president
Makes sense. If I was a legislator in Woodstock or Collinsville, why would I care if people in Edgewater or Lincoln Park paid a tax that didn’t impact my district.
I was always under the impression that the Local Distributive Government Fund (the percentage of State Income Tax that is distributed directly to municipalities) was created when the income tax was formed, as a compromise so that local municipalities could not pass their own income tax. The State collects it and passes it back to the municipalities. In theory, this avoids folks from playing games with their residence address, and puts all of the cities on a level playing field. However the State has reduced that amount and kept it for themselves, and when the tax rate increased, there was no corresponding increase in payout to the LGDF. It may be time to eliminate the LGDF and reduce the State tax rate, and then allow the cities to pass their own tax.
Sure. Everyone likes to compare us to our surrounding states. Indiana counties have their own local income tax rates. I’m sure you people that cheer for Illinois to be like other states should be perfectly find with local governments setting their own taxes.
Yes, for several reasons. Republicans enacted severe federal cuts. Trump is fighting Democratic cities. The state won’t enact a progressive income tax, and downstate overwhelmingly supports massive handouts to the wealthiest. The city already taxes. Chicago is limited by things beyond its control. Just like the federal and state government, if the voters don’t like the policies, they can vote out their alderpeople and mayor.
I have huge respect for @chicagobars- but the business community spent enormous amounts of money dishonestly framing Bring Chicago Home. In a perfect world this is a problem solved by a state graduating income tax- but this is in no way a perfect world. So yes, Home-rule municipalities need better tools to solve their financial problems.
Thanks for the kind words West Sider…but Governor Pritzker also spent enormous amounts of money trying (and failing) to pass a statewide progressive income tax.
Yes, Citadel guy spent heavily too but the Pritzker political operation is skilled and couldn’t sell it. I think Chicago & Illinois voters have tax fatigue and deep distrust the new money would be spent wisely, and it doesn’t take a huge war chest to activate those citizen concerns.
If you’re going to get anyone to vote to give locals more taxing authority, it’s going to have to be tied to caps, freezes and reductions in current revenue raisers, specifically, property taxes.
And if the state gives locals new authority to raise revenue, locals should be ready to see a reduction in LGDF. I think locals imagine the state will continue to carry their water by continuing to funnel money that would otherwise be GRF to locals via things like LGDF. I think if locals want the authority they should accept that the state won’t be enabling a double-dip.
- the Pritzker political operation is skilled and couldn’t sell it. -
I agree in general but that campaign was a disaster from the get go. They let the opposition get way ahead of them and made the whole thing way too confusing for voters.
If municiaplities can enact progressive revenue streams without going through the state authority, then the same should be true for declaring bankruptcy.
Sure, why not? Taxes aren’t moving the needle here in Illinois anymore.
The GA passed almost a billion dollars of new taxes in each of the last two GA sessions. No one lost their race in 2024, and no one will lose in 2026.
For all the right-wing rhetoric around people hating taxes, they hate it more when they get a government service cut
His Honor is focused on the wrong immediate priorities-Crains is just out with a very alarming article- Chicago office demand is plunging back to Covid levels- if his Honor doesn’t start attracting businesses to Chicago- his tax problems will be much more serious then taxing the rich can solve- JB should
also make this his first priority as a weak Chicago business environment is fatal to Illinois
While I generally support local control, there are some policies that are so awful they shouldn’t even be an option for local officials to even consider. Local incomes taxes with crazy and complex rates fit that category.
Another one is rent control; tremendously bad policy.
- curtis - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:26 am:
Yes, the current options available to local governments are too regressive and broad based. Sales and property taxes are really only options. Cities should be permitted to enact progressive property taxation, income taxes, etc. Residents have direct say in these policies via their local elected officials. Progressive property taxation should be permitted.
- Homebody - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:27 am:
If you’re going to allow home rule units to pass taxes in general, then yes you should allow them to pass progressive taxes.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:33 am:
Yes, I’m always in favor of more democracy.
- Sue - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:46 am:
Oh yes-Can you see the campaign adds- Hi - I am JB Pritzker-the governor who signed the legislation allowing folks like Brandon Johnson to raise your taxes so he can spend even more on his social programs- vote for me to be your next president
- yinn - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:55 am:
==Residents have direct say in these policies via their local elected officials.==
Referendums are the direct say we need more often, and home rule kills referendum requirements.
Illinois needs to reform home rule to curb current abuses. Until then, count me as a “no” for granting HR units additional taxation powers.
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:55 am:
Makes sense. If I was a legislator in Woodstock or Collinsville, why would I care if people in Edgewater or Lincoln Park paid a tax that didn’t impact my district.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:05 pm:
Bold vision considering the only progressive taxation idea presented legally during his tenure already failed (Bring CHicago Home).
But you can only squeeze Chad and Trixie so much.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:12 pm:
If we had consistently competent and responsible government then I would support the idea. We don’t have that so I am a “no”.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:15 pm:
No, Illinois already has substantial home rule powers.
This is not a serious comment by the Mayor. Even if he had such authority, he’d just try to make the Governor do it anyway.
- slippery slope - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:29 pm:
I was always under the impression that the Local Distributive Government Fund (the percentage of State Income Tax that is distributed directly to municipalities) was created when the income tax was formed, as a compromise so that local municipalities could not pass their own income tax. The State collects it and passes it back to the municipalities. In theory, this avoids folks from playing games with their residence address, and puts all of the cities on a level playing field. However the State has reduced that amount and kept it for themselves, and when the tax rate increased, there was no corresponding increase in payout to the LGDF. It may be time to eliminate the LGDF and reduce the State tax rate, and then allow the cities to pass their own tax.
- ChicagoBars - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:30 pm:
No. To echo the comment above, if specific proposals were done by referendum vote like Bring Chicago Home, that would be fine.
But I’ve watched too many awful fiscal policy votes at Chicago City Hall to let the body anywhere near progressive tax creation authority too.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
Sure. Everyone likes to compare us to our surrounding states. Indiana counties have their own local income tax rates. I’m sure you people that cheer for Illinois to be like other states should be perfectly find with local governments setting their own taxes.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:56 pm:
For home rule towns under a million people? Yes.
/s
- Steve - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
No, progressive taxation is banned in the Illinois constition … as of now.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:06 pm:
Sure. If Chicago decides they don’t like whatever tax scheme Brandon cooks up to give money to the CTU, they can vote him and their alderman out.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:19 pm:
Yes, for several reasons. Republicans enacted severe federal cuts. Trump is fighting Democratic cities. The state won’t enact a progressive income tax, and downstate overwhelmingly supports massive handouts to the wealthiest. The city already taxes. Chicago is limited by things beyond its control. Just like the federal and state government, if the voters don’t like the policies, they can vote out their alderpeople and mayor.
- West Sider - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:25 pm:
I have huge respect for @chicagobars- but the business community spent enormous amounts of money dishonestly framing Bring Chicago Home. In a perfect world this is a problem solved by a state graduating income tax- but this is in no way a perfect world. So yes, Home-rule municipalities need better tools to solve their financial problems.
- ChicagoBars - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:10 pm:
Thanks for the kind words West Sider…but Governor Pritzker also spent enormous amounts of money trying (and failing) to pass a statewide progressive income tax.
Yes, Citadel guy spent heavily too but the Pritzker political operation is skilled and couldn’t sell it. I think Chicago & Illinois voters have tax fatigue and deep distrust the new money would be spent wisely, and it doesn’t take a huge war chest to activate those citizen concerns.
- mrp - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:18 pm:
Yes, how else to pay for expensive consultant jargon like “a more enriched conversation”? /s
- Who else - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:26 pm:
If you’re going to get anyone to vote to give locals more taxing authority, it’s going to have to be tied to caps, freezes and reductions in current revenue raisers, specifically, property taxes.
And if the state gives locals new authority to raise revenue, locals should be ready to see a reduction in LGDF. I think locals imagine the state will continue to carry their water by continuing to funnel money that would otherwise be GRF to locals via things like LGDF. I think if locals want the authority they should accept that the state won’t be enabling a double-dip.
- Tim - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:31 pm:
No. Certainly not with the people we have in office currently.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:39 pm:
- the Pritzker political operation is skilled and couldn’t sell it. -
I agree in general but that campaign was a disaster from the get go. They let the opposition get way ahead of them and made the whole thing way too confusing for voters.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:50 pm:
If municiaplities can enact progressive revenue streams without going through the state authority, then the same should be true for declaring bankruptcy.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:57 pm:
=== the Pritzker political operation is skilled and couldn’t sell it===
The Fair Tax received 71 percent of the Chicago vote
- Odysseus - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 3:24 pm:
Generally, yes, I support home rule districts being able to tax very broadly.
Having watched the MBJ administration fail so hard, Chicago is a very strong argument against.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 3:44 pm:
==then the same should be true for declaring bankruptcy.==
Did you read that off of a Republican Party talking point sheet? Or perhaps your Bruce Rauner.
- Frida's Boss - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 3:54 pm:
Sure, why not? Taxes aren’t moving the needle here in Illinois anymore.
The GA passed almost a billion dollars of new taxes in each of the last two GA sessions. No one lost their race in 2024, and no one will lose in 2026.
For all the right-wing rhetoric around people hating taxes, they hate it more when they get a government service cut
- Sue - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 5:00 pm:
His Honor is focused on the wrong immediate priorities-Crains is just out with a very alarming article- Chicago office demand is plunging back to Covid levels- if his Honor doesn’t start attracting businesses to Chicago- his tax problems will be much more serious then taxing the rich can solve- JB should
also make this his first priority as a weak Chicago business environment is fatal to Illinois
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 5:19 pm:
While I generally support local control, there are some policies that are so awful they shouldn’t even be an option for local officials to even consider. Local incomes taxes with crazy and complex rates fit that category.
Another one is rent control; tremendously bad policy.