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* Important story from Crain’s…
One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s signature priorities — a major tweak to the real estate transfer tax designed to boost funding for anti-homelessness initiatives — has been dealt a significant setback, failing to garner the coveted endorsement of the Chicago Federation of Labor.
In a vote last week, a motion to endorse the referendum measure came up just decimal points shy of the two-thirds weighted vote necessary to receive the official backing of the federation, an umbrella organization that represents more than 300 unions in Chicago and Cook County.
The rejection came despite personal calls from Johnson to some union leaders expressing how important the issue is to this labor-friendly administration. The opposition, meanwhile, was aided by two traditionally progressive unions that represent workers who staff hotels and buildings that would be affected by the proposed increase in taxes on property sales over $1 million. […]
If [CFL President Bob Reiter] decides to allow the CFL to reconsider Friday’s vote, it would be rare and could lead to tension among labor groups. But the fact that the vote was so close and that some unions were absent from the vote because of poor weather allows an opening, sources within unions told Crain’s.
Local 150 of the Operating Engineers and Unite Here Local 1 sided with their members’ employers (real estate developers, hotel owners, etc.) and voted against it. SEIU Local 1 abstained.
* Meanwhile, the CFL endorsements contained two other bits worth noting…
Cook County States Attorney
NeutralCook County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Maryiana T. Spyropoulos
CFL affiliates are on both sides in the state’s attorney race, ergo the neutrality. And the CFL went with the Cook County Democrats’ slated candidate against incumbent circuit court clerk Iris Martinez.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 12:33 pm
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===SEIU Local 1 abstained.===
That seems odd to me. But I’m probably missing something.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 12:41 pm
== that seems odd to me ==
SEIU Local 1 represents janitors and security guards at almost all downtown buildings. They maintain pretty good relationship with the building owners and managers association (BOMA,) which is lobbying very hard against the transfer tax.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 12:50 pm
Thanks Roman. Makes more sense now.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 12:52 pm
Perhaps these unions researched the impact out in LA. The increased RE transfer tax had driven down transactions and the tax is generating less tax today than before it was increased to target expensive homes. The Chicago tax as is will generate more revenue then the tax will generate with Brandon’s changes.
Comment by Sue Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 1:08 pm
The LA transfer tax is vastly different than what’s proposed here. I believe LA hikes it to 4.5% flat on all sales over $5m, and 6% on sales over $10. Aside from the fact that it’s hung up in court at the moment, that’s a very different change than what is proposed here.
Comment by Local Person Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 1:15 pm
=That seems odd to me. But I’m probably missing something.=
The legislation would devastate the industry the bulk of its members work in: Downtown property management and security.
Comment by That's When Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 1:43 pm
= devastate=
More unnecessary hyperbole. I think it is safe to say Chicago would still be standing.
And that is not an endorsement of the tax.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 1:50 pm
Interesting endorsements in Cook County SAO race:
Harris: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308
Chicago Teachers Union
Ironworkers Local 63
Teamsters Local 705
O’Neill Burke
Painters District Council 14
Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 U.A.
Automobile Mechanics Local 701
Joint Council 25 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 399
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 134 and 9
Chicago Journey Plumbers Local 130
Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 11
Pipefitters Local 597 U.A.
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 2:41 pm
=== Interesting endorsements in Cook County SAO race ===
Thanks for the summary Amalia. Based on this, even though the CFL remained neutral, the unions backing Burke have much more influence on politics here in this State. Considering Harris’s difficulty in raising money, I would be very concerned about this.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 4:54 pm
@Hannibal Lecter, you are quite welcome. but all I did was look at their websites and copy. emails have been flying from both sides re this so I wondered why the no endorsement and took a look. it is interesting.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 6:55 pm
How is this an issue for the CTU? Is it just because it is their Mayor?
Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Jan 18, 24 @ 9:19 pm