CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago’s City Council meets Tuesday after the Finance Committee coted against Mayor Brandon Johnson’s tax plan in the 2026 budget.
The meeting comes after what has been a contentious battle over the corporate head tax where Mayor Johnson believes it’s the difference between supporting working people or big corporations.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
City Council’s Finance Committee voted down the mayor’s revenue proposal, which include a corporate head tax, 25-10. The corporate head tax would mean $21 a month per employee for companies with over 100 workers.
Opponents to Johnson said it will hurt business and increase downtown vacancies, driving down property values, shifting the tax burden to homeowners who just got hit with huge tax hikes. Johnson said he’s fighting for the working family.
“There are two options here: We challenge these big corporations and the ultra-rich to put more skin in the game. Or you ask people who are getting in line for bread, milk and food and clothing, ask them to put more skin in the game,” Johnson said.
“The message is so strong, so clear and pretty transparent from the taxpayers. They want us to go back and find those efficiencies, find the cuts and not continue to stick them with new taxes,” 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Wauguespack said.
The mayor said he’d veto any budget that includes a grocery tax, a hike in garbage fees and will not support a property tax.
Copyright Β© 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.