Chicago Voters Reject Mansion Tax in Blow to Mayor Johnson

  • Progressive mayor wanted to raise tax on $1 million plus sales
  • Proponents said measure would have raised $100 million a year
Brandon JohnsonPhotographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Chicago voters rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to increase taxes on real estate transactions of $1 million or more, dealing a blow to the first-term Democrat’s progressive agenda.

About 53% of voters opposed the referendum, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. The measure would have allowed the city council to increase transfer levies on upmarket residential and commercial property sales.