Most Chicago City Council members and residents oppose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget, especially his plan to tax job creation.

More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.

Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.

Chicago’s budget has grown much faster than inflation, leaving taxpayers to endure higher costs without receiving better services. Implementing a spending cap linked to inflation could have kept costs under control, helping prevent future deficits