Mayor Brandon Johnson and the progressive movement supporting him faced a significant setback on Tuesday, as Chicago voters rejected a binding referendum aimed at raising revenue to address homelessness. The referendum, which proposed increasing the real estate transfer tax on high-end property transactions, was defeated by nearly an 8-percentage-point margin, with 98.2% of precincts reporting.
Despite expectations that low voter turnout would favor progressive interests, a well-funded campaign led by real estate and business groups successfully persuaded voters to reject the referendum, arguing it would lead to rent increases and lacked clear specifics on how the funds would be used.
The defeat is poised to weaken Mayor Johnson politically and strengthen his critics. Political strategist Greg Goldner, who led the campaign against the referendum, described it as a victory against flawed policy. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa expressed disappointment and emphasized the need to reassess the situation and move forward.
The referendum’s failure is not just a political blow but also a personal one for Mayor Johnson, who has spoken openly about his brother’s struggles with addiction and homelessness. Despite this setback, supporters of the referendum remain determined, vowing to continue their efforts to address homelessness in Chicago.
The defeat of the referendum underscores challenges for Mayor Johnson’s leadership and the progressive movement in Chicago, with potential long-term implications for his tenure.
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