Chicago Rejects Major Tax Hike for Homelessness Relief

The defeat of the 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum, heavily backed by Mayor Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, marks a significant blow to their efforts to combat homelessness.

Chicago voters decisively rejected a tax referendum that would have increased taxes on high-value real estate transactions to fund homelessness relief.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, who heavily promoted the measure, face a significant setback with the referendum's failure.
Opponents of the referendum, primarily from the real estate industry, celebrated the result, which came in at an 8-point lead for the 'No' vote.
The Chicago Teachers Union, known for its radical left-wing organizing, had invested significant resources and organizing efforts into supporting the referendum.
The referendum's defeat raises questions about the future of progressive initiatives in Chicago and the political capital of its backers.