STATEMENT from
ILLINOIS POLICY

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Statement from Illinois Policy: Appellate Court reinstates voting on Chicago real estate transfer tax hike

CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) – An Illinois appellate court issued a decision on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Bring Chicago Home” tax hike today. By overturning the lower court’s ruling, justices cleared the way for Chicago voters to decide the fate of Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike.

According to Illinois Policy, Johnson’s real estate tax will be detrimental to the city’s commercial real estate market and could increase the taxes for over 5,000 commercial properties throughout the city. Those businesses offer the city’s best hope for generating jobs that truly solve homelessness. Johnson’s tax hike comes with no plan or guarantee about how the money will help homeless Chicagoans.

Illinois Policy filed an amicus brief alongside the Liberty Justice Center warning Chicagoans about the detrimental economic impacts the city’s real estate market will face if Johnson’s tax hike passes.

Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney at Illinois Policy, offered the following statement:

“Illinois Policy is displeased with the decision to reinstate ‘Bring Chicago Home’ to theMarch 19 primary ballot. Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike will be a detriment to the city’s commercial and residential market.

“Illinois Policy is the leading voice for taxpayers in Illinois and supports the Vote No on Chicago Real Estate Tax ballot committee, which will continue to advocate against Johnson’s real estate tax hike. In light of the Chicago Teachers Unions’ newly released contract demands, Chicagoans should be hesitant to support Johnson’s tax. This will become a slush fund for Johnson and CTU to do whatever they want with it. The union has made their intentions to access the funds clear. Chicagoans should reject Johnson and the union’s irresponsible agenda by voting against the real estate transfer tax hike.”

To read more about the court’s decision, visit illin.is/newruling. 

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.