CHICAGO, IL — According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, there are 68,440 (2023) Chicagoans experiencing houselessness who live on the streets, in shelters, or living doubled-up. Bring Chicago Home was born out of the growing need to address the housing and homelessness crisis in a real and meaningful way where people get housed and stay housed. The best way to tackle this challenge is to strategically invest resources in permanent housing with wraparound supportive services.
Frankly, the City of Chicago owes houseless residents some equity to provide a steady stream of revenue to combat houselessness. Historically, its contribution to housing residents pales to the support that other cities have invested.
The Bring Chicago Home referendum is a ballot measure that asks Chicago voters if the city should change the real estate transfer tax to a progressive structure that would lower the tax rate on properties sold under $1 million and increase the rate on properties above $1 million. It is a one-time real estate transfer tax paid by the buyer -time tax levied on property sales. This money will be dedicated revenue stream to address homelessness. It is estimated to generate at least $100 million every year.
On Tuesday, November 7. 2023, Chicago’s City Council approved the Bring Chicago Home binding referendum. It appears on the March 19, 2024, ballot. Supporting the unhoused population in Chicago is good for business.
Pushback
A lawsuit filed by real estate, business and construction groups last month asked a Cook County Circuit Court judge to declare the ballot question unconstitutional and strike it from the March ballot. On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, an Illinois Appellate Court ruled that the Bring Chicago Home ballot question is valid, reversing a ruling by Cook County Judge Kathleen Burke, who previously ruled that the question should not appear on the March 19 primary ballot.
Both supporters and opponents continued their advocacy despite the legal action.
- It appears that the real estate industry tried to confuse people into thinking their vote won’t count.
- Advocates spent and continue to spend their weekends knocking on doors. The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless held webinars, town halls, and advocacy trainings. No stone is left unturned.
On Friday, March 1, 2024, the Illinois Appellate Court reinstated the citywide referendum question to the March 19th Primary ballot in Chicago. It stated, “The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is vacated and the case is remanded with instructions to dismiss the complaint for want of jurisdiction…. The judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is vacated and the case is remanded with instructions to dismiss the complaint for want of jurisdiction.”
That decision means that the Chicago Board of Elections can and will count and report votes for the Bring Chicago Home referendum on March 19, 2024.
No matter who we are, we all need a home!
Kathy Powers is a lifetime Chicagoan. At 50, Kathy speaks out as the voice of the people. She became a revolutionary activist whose lifelong fight raises unheard voices. She is the Health Care Desk on the People’s Tribune Editorial Board.
