Mayor Brandon Johnson presents three-part revenue plan to Illinois legislators
Updated
Updated · Chicago Tribune · May 5
Mayor Brandon Johnson presents three-part revenue plan to Illinois legislators
7 articles · Updated · Chicago Tribune · May 5
In Springfield, he proposed restoring Chicago's Local Government Distributive Fund share, a statewide digital ad tax and broader home-rule taxing powers; City Hall says Governor JB Pritzker's budget cuts Chicago $12.7 million.
Johnson said a 1% LGDF restoration would raise $80 million and argued digital advertising firms profiting from Illinois viewers should contribute, though similar taxes have faced court challenges, including in Maryland.
The push follows the collapse of his millionaire's tax effort and coincides with debate over a Bears stadium bill for Arlington Heights, which Johnson says prioritises corporate interests over affordability and city residents.
As other states' digital ad taxes face legal defeat, what is Illinois' strategy to make its own version stick?
With stadium deals rarely paying off, can Chicago's lakefront plan for the Bears actually deliver a win for taxpayers?