Newsletter: Is A Property Tax Hike Inevitable For Chicago?

Chicago skyline
Chicago's looming financial problems have some political observers wondering when Mayor Lori Lightfoot will propose a big property tax hike. Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press
Chicago skyline
Chicago's looming financial problems have some political observers wondering when Mayor Lori Lightfoot will propose a big property tax hike. Kiichiro Sato / Associated Press

Newsletter: Is A Property Tax Hike Inevitable For Chicago?

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Good afternoon, it’s Monday! And I’m still a little sick but feel better when I remember I get a day off this week. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. The unanswered question in Lightfoot’s proposed budget

Some folks are wondering how long it’ll be until Mayor Lori Lightfoot is forced to raise property taxes to address Chicago’s massive financial problems.

Lightfoot had hoped for a tax hike on high-end property sales and tax relief for a Chicago casino to make it more attractive to developers, but both those measures failed to get enough support in Springfield this month. If state lawmakers take no serious action on those measures in the spring, it could be bad news bears for Lightfoot.

Among Lightfoot’s current plans to balance the city’s budget are using one-time revenue, hiking fees on some ride-share trips and taxes on recreational marijuana after it becomes legal on Jan. 1.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on Lightfoot’s budget proposal tomorrow. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. A court ruling that could have a big effect on the impeachment inquiry

A federal judge is expected to rule by the end of today whether former White House counsel Donald McGahn must comply with a congressional subpoena and testify before House impeachment investigators.

If the judge rules that McGahn must testify, that could open the door for other former and current White House officials to appear before the inquiry.

Meanwhile, House investigators are preparing to release more transcripts of closed-door sessions with witnesses, and the House Intelligence Committee is writing a report based from public testimonies that will be sent to the Judiciary Committee, which is in charge of drafting articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. [Washington Post]

3. What you need to know about Hong Kong’s stunning election results

Pro-democracy candidates won in a massive landslide in local elections, a sign that Hong Kong voters are fed up with Beijing.

The elections were for district councils, which focus more on local issues. With seven out of 10 eligible voters turning out, pro-democracy candidates won 389 of 452 elected seats. They had previously held just 124 seats.

Those results could add more pressure on embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has been criticized for her handling of the protests. The results will also give the democracy movement more influence on who will become the next chief executive of Hong Kong in 2022. [New York Times]

4. Eliminating student debt would be good for the economy

That’s according to some economists, who say that student debt forgiveness programs being floated by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders could dramatically boost the economy and combat income inequality.

The economists say major life decisions, like homeownership and having kids, have been impacted by student debt, so eliminating the debts would allow folks to pursue those dreams and spend more money, which helps the economy keep humming along. [NPR]

5. Lincoln museum director “pimped out” Gettysburg Address to Glenn Beck

The head of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield violated policies by loaning a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address, one of only five in existence, to conservative commentator Glenn Beck, according to an investigation by the Illinois inspector general’s office.

The investigation began after the state’s top watchdog received an anonymous tip that museum officials “pimped out” the irreplaceable document to Beck last year for $50,000. The head of the museum, Alan Lowe, was fired by Gov. JB Pritzker in September without explanation. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

President Trump gave the order not to oust a Navy SEAL accused of war crimes, said Defense Secretary Mark Esper. [AP]

The U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal from convicted killer Adnan Syed, the main subject of the Serial podcast. [NPR]

A lawsuit was filed by the parents of a Chicago teenager who was wounded as police officers pursued bank robbers. [WBEZ]

A trove of priceless diamonds were stolen from one of Europe’s largest treasure collections. [BBC]

Oh, and one more thing …

You might have heard an advertisement on the radio for this newsletter, and you might have asked yourself, “Whose gay Ernie voice is that?” Well, it’s me, thank you, and I was wondering if you could do me a favor.

If you love reading this newsletter, call 312-948-4688 and leave a voicemail telling us why, and we might play your message on the radio.

Tell me something good …

Thanksgiving is just days away, and I’d like to know what’s your favorite thing to eat on the big day.

I love pretty much anything that makes me regret going to the gym. Also, wine.

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

Have a nice night! I’ll see you tomorrow. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.