Progressive Tax Policy

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is weighing a veto of the City Council’s newly passed 2026 budget, which omits his proposed $33‑per‑employee monthly corporate head tax, a move that could force the city into its first‑ever municipal shutdown if no alternative plan is approved by Dec. 30. The council’s 30–18 budget, backed by Ald. Pat Dowell, instead leans on measures like legalizing video gambling, hiking the shopping‑bag tax and creating a novel levy on large social media platforms, while allies and opponents — including Gov. JB Pritzker, who warns the head tax would hurt employment — prepare for a possible veto override effort needing 38 votes amid a projected $1.2 billion shortfall.