Chicago voters to decide on controversial real estate tax referendum in March 2024

Chicago, Illinois United States of America
Chicago voters will decide on a controversial tax referendum on March 18, 2024.
The proposed changes to the real estate transfer tax would reduce it for properties that sell for less than $1 million and increase it for homes and commercial buildings that sell for more than $1 million.
Chicago voters to decide on controversial real estate tax referendum in March 2024

Chicago voters will decide on a controversial tax referendum on March 18, 2024. The proposed changes to the real estate transfer tax would reduce it for properties that sell for less than $1 million and increase it for homes and commercial buildings that sell for more than $1 million. Supporters say this new tax will generate at least $100 million each year to address homelessness, but opponents argue that it is unconstitutional and could lead to higher property taxes on homeowners because of shifting burden from commercial properties.



Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if the new real estate transfer tax changes are legal under Illinois state law.

Sources

68%

  • Unique Points
    • Voters are being asked to authorize the Chicago City Council to change the real estate transfer tax. The proposed changes would lower the tax rate on property transactions valued at under $1 million, while increasing it on sales of $1 million or more.
    • Supporters say this new tax would generate at least $100 million each year to address homelessness
    • If a simple majority of Chicago voters approve the binding ballot referendum in March, another ordinance enacting the new tax structure and establishing a special fund dedicated to addressing homelessness will be asked for approval by the City Council.
    • Opponents argued that the ballot referendum illegally combined an unpopular legislation with more attractive proposals and led to higher property taxes for homeowners because of shifting burden from commercial properties.
    • The Illinois Appellate Court overturned Cook County Judge Kathleen Burke's ruling, noting it was not the duty of judges to decide on the validity of a proposed law until after the legislative process is complete.
    • Voters will get two pages for their ballot in Chicago primary elections.
    • The Bring Chicago Home referendum asks voters to say yes or no to three options: decrease, increase, and maintain real estate transfer tax rates.
  • Accuracy
    • The proposal would reduce the real estate transfer tax on properties that sell for less than $1 million, but impose higher rates on homes and commercial buildings that sell for more than $1 million
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in that it presents the Bring Chicago Home referendum as a simple tax decrease when in reality it involves an increase on sales of $1 million or more. The author also uses emotional manipulation by mentioning the number of homeless people and their suffering without providing any context or solutions to address this issue.
    • The article states that 'sales of $1 million or over, but under $1.5 million, will pay a 2% tax rate on that portion of the sale over $1 million.' This is deceptive because it implies that only the portion above $1 million will be taxed at 2%, when in reality the entire sale amount will be subject to this increased tax.
    • The article mentions 'roughly 68,000 unhoused Chicagoans' without providing any context or solutions to address this issue. This is deceptive because it implies that the referendum is solely about reducing homelessness when in reality it involves an increase on sales of $1 million or more.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains a clear example of religious bias. The author uses the phrase 'Bring Chicago Home' to refer to a ballot initiative that aims to address homelessness in the city. This is an emotionally charged issue and one that has been politicized by various groups with different ideologies and beliefs about how best to tackle it.
    • The author uses the phrase 'Bring Chicago Home' throughout the article, which implies a sense of urgency and importance for addressing homelessness in the city. This is an emotionally charged issue that has been politicized by various groups with different ideologies and beliefs about how best to tackle it.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    85%

    • Unique Points
      • Chicago voters will consider a ballot measure on Tuesday that would allow the City Council to increase real estate tax revenue to help fund programs for getting people off the street
      • `The proposal' would reduce the real estate transfer tax on properties that sell for less than $1 million, but impose higher rates on homes and commercial buildings that sell for more than $1 million
      • Supporters say this new tax would generate at least $100 million each year to address homelessness
      • Homelessness is a recognized issue in Chicago by all city residents according to Farzin Parang, the executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago
    • Accuracy
      • The proposal would reduce the real estate transfer tax on properties that sell for less than $1 million, but impose higher rates on homes and commercial buildings that sell for more than $1 million
      • If a simple majority of Chicago voters approve the binding ballot referendum in March, another ordinance enacting the new tax structure and establishing a special fund dedicated to addressing homelessness will be asked for approval by the City Council.
      • The biggest supporter of the referendum is Mayor Brandon Johnson. A key campaign promise was creating a dedicated fund to help homelessness in Chicago.
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (70%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Bias (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Mitch Smith has a conflict of interest on the topic of homelessness as he is reporting for The New York Times which has financial ties to real estate developers who may benefit from increased tax revenue. Additionally, Mitch Smith's coverage of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his progressive movement could also be seen as a conflict of interest.
      • Mitch Smith reports on the City Council's decision to increase taxes for downtown businesses which will generate more revenue for homeless programs.

      74%

      • Unique Points
        • The March 19 primary voting deadline is approaching.
        • Already a subscriber? To Continue Reading...Subscribe and get unlimited access to Crain's Chicago Business.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the previous statement made in a similar editorial without providing any evidence or reasoning for their stance. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Chicagoans should vote down the Bring Chicago Home plan.
        • > Already a subscriber? To Continue Reading...Subscribe and get unlimited access to Crain's Chicago Business.<br>The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the previous statement made in a similar editorial without providing any evidence or reasoning for their stance. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that Chicagoans should vote down the Bring Chicago Home plan.
      • Bias (0%)
        The article is biased against the 'Bring Chicago Home' transfer tax plan. The author uses language that dehumanizes those who support this plan and implies they are not acting in the best interest of Chicagoans.
        • > Already a subscriber? To Continue Reading...Subscribe and get unlimited access to Crain’s Chicago Business.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        64%

        • Unique Points
          • , also known as Bring Chicago Home. Some Chicagoans have already cast their ballots early.
          • Voters are being asked to authorize the Chicago City Council to change the real estate transfer tax. The proposed changes would lower the tax rate on property transactions valued at under $1 million, while increasing it on sales of $1 million or more.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (30%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that the referendum will be a 'win' for Mayor Brandon Johnson's agenda without providing any context or information about what this agenda entails. Secondly, the author presents only one side of the argument and fails to provide any counterarguments from those who oppose the measure. This is an example of selective reporting. Thirdly, there are no links to peer-reviewed studies that support the claims made in the article.
          • The referendum will be a 'win' for Mayor Brandon Johnson's agenda
          • This conflict came to a head in 2022, when a special City Council hearing failed to establish a quorum by just one alderman despite several members being present just outside chambers.
        • Fallacies (75%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (75%)
          The article is biased towards the Bring Chicago Home campaign and its goal of raising taxes for a fund to address homelessness. The author uses language that portrays the opponents as being against addressing affordable housing and dampening sales in an already-fragile market.
          • should it prevail, the referendum would be the first win from Mayor Brandon Johnson's “tax the rich” agenda that he campaigned on during the 2023 mayoral race.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          74%

          • Unique Points
            • Voters in Chicago will decide on a controversial tax referendum on March 18, 2024.
            • The Bring Chicago Home referendum is a signature initiative of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his progressive allies to increase funding for efforts to fight homelessness.
            • If approved by voters, the City Council would have to take a separate vote to enact the proposed tax changes.
            • Opponents argued that the ballot referendum illegally combined an unpopular legislation with more attractive proposals and led to higher property taxes for homeowners because of shifting burden from commercial properties.
            • The Illinois Appellate Court overturned Cook County Judge Kathleen Burke's ruling, noting it was not the duty of judges to decide on the validity of a proposed law until after the legislative process is complete.
            • Voters will get two pages for their ballot in Chicago primary elections.
            • The Bring Chicago Home referendum asks voters to say yes or no to three options: decrease, increase, and maintain real estate transfer tax rates.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (50%)
            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the Bring Chicago Home referendum is a signature initiative of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his progressive allies to increase funding for efforts to fight homelessness. However, this statement implies that there are no other sources or stakeholders involved in supporting this measure which is not true as it was also supported by several real estate and business groups who spent weeks fighting against the referendum. Secondly, the author claims that opponents of the tax plan would harm Chicago's already struggling commercial real estate market, diminish existing commercial property values and lead to higher property taxes for homeowners because they believe that this measure is an example of illegal so-called 'log rolling'. However, there is no evidence presented in the article to support these claims. Lastly, the author presents a biased viewpoint by stating that courts have ruled against the referendum when it has not been definitively proven yet.
            • The statement
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (85%)
            The article is biased towards the progressive agenda of Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies. The author uses language that dehumanizes homelessness as a crisis rather than a complex issue with multiple causes and solutions. Additionally, the author presents only one side of the argument without providing any counterarguments or alternative viewpoints.
            • The article describes homelessness as a 'crisis'
              • The author uses language that dehumanizes homelessness as a crisis rather than a complex issue with multiple causes and solutions.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                Todd Feurer has conflicts of interest on the topics of Bring Chicago Home referendum and tax increase on million-dollar properties in Chicago.
                • Feuer is a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), which opposes rent control measures such as those proposed by Brandon Johnson, who supports a Bring Chicago Home referendum. Feuer also reports on tax increase on million-dollar properties in Chicago.
                  • Feurer has reported on property values and property taxes for homeowners, which could be affected by changes to the real estate transfer tax.