Mayor Johnson vows Brings Chicago Home fight not over
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CHICAGO — When Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was running for office, he took up the “Bring Chicago Home” cause, promising he’d get the referendum passed. But as of Wednesday night, it appears he’s failed on delivering that promise.
Thousands of mail-in ballots must still be counted, but so far, voters appear to have rejected the measure.
With 98% of precincts reporting in, “No” votes outweigh the “Yes” votes by a 53.7-to-46.3 percentage — or a margin of a little more than 22,600 votes.
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For Johnson, it’s a spectacular loss — The first test of his tax-the-wealthy-to-invest-in-people agenda — But the mayor said he’s not deterred.
“There are 68,000 people who are unhoused,” Johnson said Wednesday. “There’s not a fight that we’ve taken on that we won’t have the ability to win. [So] guess what? Buckle up.”
The referendum proposed raising the transfer tax on properties sold above $1 million, while lowering the tax on sales less than $1 million, with the money raised going toward helping the city combat homelessness.
The Chicago Teachers Union, United Working Families and other progressive groups that have had success in recent elections could not overcome a $2 million campaign against Bring Chicago Home that was waged by realtors, building owners and managers.
With voter turnout in Chicago on track to be the lowest seen in the city in 80 years, Johnson also hinted he might try again in a future election.
“We’re going to keep organizing,” Johnson said. “Look, we’re going to keep organizing. You all know how I am, right?”
While Johnson remained upbeat, longtime advocates said it’s time to regroup.
“We’ve got to take a long hard look at exactly what happened and develop an analysis and figure out a way to move forward,” said Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward).
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Some city leaders speculated part of the reason the referendum appears to be headed toward failure is because the ballot question failed to provide specifics about the spending plan.
“I think people right now, clearly, we’re in a moment of crisis. So many chances, not only in the city, but all government,” said Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward). “[Voters] want to get a better sense of confidence in the decision-making and I think in order to do that, we’ve got to provide further details, plans. You have to show your work.”
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