Editorial: Chicagoans should vote down 'Bring Chicago Home' By Editorial Board, Crain's Chicago Business | March 15, 2024 We've said it before and, unfortunately, it must be said again as the March 19 primary voting deadline looms: Mayor Brandon Johnson's "Bring Chicago Home" plan, well intentioned though it may be, is the last thing
Civic Federation Highlights “Serious Concerns” with Mayor’s Proposed Real Estate Transfer Tax By Leigh Giangreco, Crain's Chicago Business | March 13, 2024 The Civic Federation has “serious concerns” about the “Bring Chicago Home” ballot measure, which seeks to raise money for city programs combatting homelessness through a higher real estate transfer tax. In
Civic Federation Questions Volatility, Structure, Fairness of “Real Estate Transfer Tax” Ballot ReferendumBy Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times | March 13, 2024 The Civic Federation is raising questions about the volatility, structure and fairness of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to raise the transfer tax on high-end real estate transactions to generate $100 million annual revenue to
Real Estate Transfer Tax Impact By Mary Ann Ahern, NBC5 Chicago | March 14, 2024 There’s a question on all Chicago ballots to increase the city’s real estate transfer tax on all properties over $1 million, with the funding to be spent on efforts to address homelessness. Supporters call it “Bring Chicago Home,” while some
Taxation Without Participation? Low Voter Turnout Lets Small Minority of Voters Decide Ballot Questions Hitting All Voters’ Wallets By David Struett, Chicago Sun-Times | March 12, 2024 Voter turnout is typically low in primary elections. It's even worse for end-of-ballot referendums. Since many voters skip those questions, a slim minority often decides the
Los Angeles Offers Lessons on Dangers of Real Estate Transfer Tax By Sarah Holder, Bloomberg printed in Crain's Chicago Business | January 13, 2024 The new villain on the seventh season of the hit reality real estate show Selling Sunset wasn’t a sassy new luxury broker not there to make friends. It was
Opinion: Voters Should Be Wary of Mayor Johson’s Real Estate Transfer Tax Hike Opinion, Chicago Tribune | March 11, 2024 Chicagoans are one week out from the March 19 primary election, and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s controversial citywide referendum is back on the ballot — for now. Initially, Johnson got a real estate transfer
Letter: A better written referendum Letters to Editor, Chicago Tribune | March 8, 2024 I commend letter writer Mary Friedlieb (“Bring Chicago Home half a plan,” Feb. 29) for her correct comments on the Bring Chicago Home plan. There is considerable money flowing into advertisements on TV on both sides, which don’t accurately reflect
Loop retail vacancy tops 30% for the first time By Rachel Herzog, Crain's Chicago Business | March 5, 2024 Nearly four years since the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of empty storefronts in the Loop has surpassed a daunting threshold: More than 30% of the central business district’s retail space
Letters: Chicagoans need more details By Elliott Fredland, Letter to the Editor, Chicago Tribune | February 29, 2024 The mailer I received from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless about the now-delayed Bring Chicago Home initiative lacks the specificity needed to make an informed decision. It does not tell me how much money is
