Happy Monday, today we take a look at a ballot question all Illinois voters will see, dive into Chicago finances and take a look back at the 2020 presidential race.
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Homes in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood are pictured in a file photo. (James Andrews / iStock)
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While the presidential election and select local races may be getting the majority of attention this election season, there are a few ballot measures Illinois voters should be aware of.
Unlike the high-pressure campaign for Illinois’ 2020 graduated income tax amendment that bombarded voters with ads, this year’s tax reform proposal has maintained a quieter presence. The failed measure in 2020 (53% of voters rejected it) was a proposed Constitutional amendment, whereas the question on this year’s ballot is advisory. Voters should think of this as a poll that will help the General Assembly judge the support for this kind of reform in their district and around the state.
What is asks:
This year’s Property Tax Relief and Fairness Referendum is a non-binding measure that asks all Illinois voters if the state should levy a new 3% surcharge on income greater than $1 million per year. The revenue would fund property tax rebates for owner-occupied properties around the state.
What happens if it passes?
“If this wins with a huge majority, that is ammunition for people that are saying property taxes are a burden pushing people out of state,” Kent Redfield, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois-Springfield, said. “Even though this is advisory, it's still sending a message.”
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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Chicago has yet to spend approximately $300 million in federal relief funds officials promised to use to strengthen the city’s social safety net and provide aid to Chicagoans struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a WTTW News analysis.
The backstory:
- Between March 2021 and June 2024, Chicago spent more than $238.8 million of the $540 million city officials set aside from the federal relief package known as the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
- Per federal rules, Chicago officials have until 2026 to spend the remaining $300 million. However, ARPA money must be budgeted by the end of this year.
What now?
- Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to lay out his plan on Wednesday to fill not just the projected $982.4 million shortfall facing the city in 2025 but also the $222.9 million gap in this year’s city budget.
- The Civic Federation, a nonpartisan budget watchdog group, is urging Johnson and the Chicago City Council to consider using ARPA funding to help balance the city’s budget.
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Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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Chicago taxpayers should pay $4 million to the family of a man who spent 33 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of murdering a woman in 1989 in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, city lawyers recommended.
Lee Harris was 36 when he was convicted in 1992 and sentenced to 90 years in prison for murdering 24-year-old Dana Feitler, who was forced to withdraw $400 from an ATM after being kidnapped from the lobby of her apartment building in the city’s most affluent neighborhood.
Eight months after Harris was exonerated in March 2023, he died of natural causes, records show. The proposed settlement is set to be considered Monday by the City Council’s Finance Committee. A final vote of the City Council could come on Oct. 30.
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President Donald Trump speaks at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Convention Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo / Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Despite his name adorning the side of his luxury hotel and condo tower downtown, former President Donald Trump hasn’t had the warmest receptions in Chicago. In 2016, a scheduled campaign event at McCormick Place was canceled due to protests and a recent appearance this year at the National Association of Black Journalists conference did not go as planned. Five years ago today, Trump made his first trip to the city as president. He started his day at a campaign luncheon at his hotel, raising $4 million for his 2020 reelection effort as protestors demonstrated outside. Later, he spoke at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference, where he disparaged the city as
a crime-ridden place that’s “embarrassing to us as a nation.” He also directed ire at then-Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson for skipping the event. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot refused to meet with him and Gov. J.B. Pritzker said “This is the land of Lincoln and when you come to the state of Illinois you should respect all the people who live here in the state of Illinois.”
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Get Involved With This Week's Civic Meetings and Events
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Every Monday, we bring you a week’s worth of select public meetings, civic happenings and other ways to stay connected to your community.
Chicago City Council
The marquee public meeting this week is the City Council’s Wednesday meeting where Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to lay out his plans to fill a $222.9 million budget gap this year and a projected $982.4 million gap facing the city in 2025. The 10 a.m. meeting will be streamed live.
Chicago Board of Education
A newly seated Board of Education is set to meet for their first full meeting on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Meetings are streamed live. The future employment prospects for CPS CEO Pedro Martinez could be a topic.
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With Halloween this week, what’s your best Chicago memory of the
holiday?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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