Chicago is approaching $300 million spent on the migrant crisis since the first bus arrived in 2022. Nearly two years later, more than 11,200 migrants are in the city shelters.
The city’s data shows there are 6,139 homeless Chicagoans. That number has barely budged since 2014, when the city counted 6,294 homeless Chicagoans, but city spending on homelessness has jumped from $21.7 million in 2014 to $58 million in 2023.
‘Bring Chicago Home’ advocates claim there are 68,000 homeless Chicagoans, but that’s 10 times higher than the estimate recognized by the federal government. If the problem is exaggerated, what will Mayor Brandon Johnson do with his tax hike money?
Even though the number of violent crimes in Chicago grew to its highest level in a decade last year, the arrest rate dropped. Robbery and vehicle theft both rose by over 30% last year.
March 19 primary ballots ask Chicago voters whether they support Mayor Brandon Johnson's real estate transfer tax hike. While he and 'Bring Chicago Home' advocates claim money will help homeless Chicagoans, there is reason to worry about hurting 5,143 commercial properties with no guarantee how this 'mansion tax' will be used.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and advocates for a hiked real estate transfer tax argue the rich need to pay their fair share, but many local businesses fall in their definition of “rich.”
The Chicago Board of Elections will appeal a Cook County judge’s ruling that Johnson’s $100 million real estate tax plan on the March 19 ballot is unconstitutional and invalid.
A Cook County judge ruled Feb. 23 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “mansion tax” was unconstitutional and should be removed from the primary election ballot.