Chicago City Council Approves Non-Binding Referendums Amid Tensions

On Wednesday, the City Council approved a set of non-binding referendums that will be presented to Chicago voters in the citywide election next year. These measures are favored by opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Among these, the most debated question asks if aldermen should have their own legal advisor separate from the city Law Department.

The special council meeting was organized to address this referendum issue. It marks a new chapter in the conflict between Mayor Johnson and his critics. Although these questions carry no legal weight, they might influence voter turnout in the future election. The election is expected to highlight the divisions between Chicago’s left and moderate political groups.

The council also approved a November ballot question, backed by Johnson, on whether the city should pursue the federal government to recover funds spent on handling President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. This question will appear in the general election, coinciding with federal, statewide, and Chicago school board elections.

Contested Questions for February Ballot

The primary debate centered on three proposed questions for the February city ballot:

• Should the city construct a monument dedicated to music and arts?
• Should aldermen have an independent legal advisor?
• Should the city withhold funds from sister agencies like the CTA and Chicago Public Schools to address debts?

After facing defeat, Mayor Johnson held a news conference where he criticized council opponents for being disjointed. He downplayed the suggestion that he had lost control over the council. “Controlling 50 individuals was never expected of me, even when teaching middle school,” he remarked.

Referendum Debate

The questions for the municipal election were introduced for a vote by Alderman Samantha Nugent, with support from her coalition. Johnson ally Alderman Jason Ervin attempted to stall these items but was unsuccessful. Due to a limit of three referendums per election, additional questions were essentially pushed out of the February ballot.

Despite being symbolic, both Mayor Johnson and the aldermen view these referendums as significant. On the question of independent legal representation, Johnson stated that only the state’s General Assembly has the authority to establish such a position. Progressive critic Alderman Andre Vasquez countered by highlighting a similar referendum regarding taxing millionaires, which also involved state approval. Vasquez argued there was nothing more urgent than this given ongoing council-mayor tensions.

The council voted 32-16 in favor of placing the legal advisor question on the ballot. However, the millionaire tax referendum did not proceed due to procedural delays.

Additional Referendums and Future Plans

Referendums on the music monument and withholding sister agency funds were also met with mixed responses, passing with narrow margins. During a special meeting, council members debated intensely, with opponents of Johnson pushing for further questions, while progressives expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes.

In other news, Mayor Johnson remained silent on solutions for the potential closure of several grocery stores in the South and West sides. Despite supporting city-owned grocery initiatives, his administration is examining alternative methods to improve access to fresh food. He pointed to possible public-private partnerships as a viable solution.

Regarding the city’s fiscal issues, Johnson commented on delayed property tax disbursements from Cook County, causing budget shortfalls. He also addressed a potential $90 million budget gap, attributing the challenge to aldermanic resistance.

The mayor endorsed a call for colleagues to reject contributions from corporations involved in federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing that his campaign resources come from working people and labor organizations.