Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a City Council meeting on Dec. 16, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Multiple business associations were swift to voice their opposition to Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to resurrect a tax based on employee headcount for large corporations after he unveiled it last week as part of his 2026 budget plan, which closes a nearly $1.2 billion deficit.  

While many progressive allies largely hailed the revenue options included in the budget that target the wealthy and big business — higher taxes on boat mooring and cloud computing are also proposed — some advocacy and labor groups said the plan didn’t do enough to protect certain city services or fix its finances.

Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his 2026 budget address during a City Council meeting on Oct. 16, 2025. [Mayor's Office]

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday unveiled a slightly reduced $16.6 billion proposed budget for 2026 on Thursday that makes some cuts and asks for hundreds of millions from new and increased taxes and fees on the wealthy.

City Hall is pictured. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Thursday approved a new contract with the union representing Chicago firefighters, the appointment of a new Department of Family Support and Services (DFSS) commissioner and the upzoning of North Broadway in Uptown and Edgewater.

Mayor Brandon Johnson gives his 2025 budget address to the City Council on Oct. 30, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council on Thursday will consider final approval of a new contract with the union representing Chicago firefighters, the appointment of a new Department of Family Support and Services (DFSS) commissioner and the upzoning of North Broadway in Uptown and Edgewater. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson will also unveil his 2026 budget proposal and deliver his annual budget address at the meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. The city must close a more-than $1.1 billion estimated gap next year, budget officials have previously said.

Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48) speaks during a Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting on Oct. 14, 2025. [Livestream]

A proposal to allow taller, denser buildings, promote additional housing and pedestrian-focused businesses and reduce red tape in three Far North Side wards won approval by the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards Tuesday, sending final approval to the City Council later this week.

Aviation Committee Chair Matt O'Shea (19) is pictured at a City Council meeting in Oct. 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Aviation on Tuesday approved a transfer of ownership for a major concessions operator at O’Hare International Airport and two renewed agreements for local airport noise reduction commissions.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle gives her 2026 budget address on Oct. 9, 2025. [Office of the President]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday unveiled a $10.01 billion proposed budget for 2026 in an address where she also excoriated the actions of the Trump administration that are anticipated to impact the county budget.

Acting DFSS Comm. Angela Green, left, answers questions from Ald. Maria Hadden (49) during a Committee on Health and Human Relations hearing on Oct. 9, 2025. [Livestream]

The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations on Thursday approved the appointment of a permanent Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) commissioner.

Ald. Anthony Beale (9) is pictured during a City Council meeting Dec. 16, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Thursday delayed a vote on a proposal to allow retail food establishments, such as restaurants and cafes, to allow dogs on their premises if they choose and paused a measure to legalize video gambling in Chicago.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presents her 2026 Forest Preserve District budget proposal on Oct. 8, 2025. [Office of the Cook County President]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Wednesday unveiled a $194.1 million budget for the Cook County Forest Preserve District for 2026. The president’s proposed budget marks a more than $4.78 million, or 2.5 percent, increase compared to the previous year’s adopted budget.

Health and Human Relations Chair Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33) is pictured during a council meeting in February 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations on Thursday will consider the appointment of a permanent family and support services commissioner and hold a hearing on improving animal welfare services. 

The committee will meet at 10 a.m. in council chambers. 

A Chicago Fire Department emblem is pictured. [File photo]

The City Council Committee on Workforce Development on Tuesday swiftly approved a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the city and Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2, placing the city one step closer to resolving four years of contract negotiations.

The contract agreement was approved without any questions from committee members. It will be considered by the full City Council next week for final approval.

Housing Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) is pictured at a City Council meeting on June 12, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday approved a property tax break-related designation for Sterling Bay’s recently approved residential development in Lincoln Park, a lease agreement to allow the city’s electric vehicles to charge in two downtown parking garages and the sale of multiple city lots.

Housing Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) is pictured at a City Council meeting on June 12, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday will consider a property tax break-related designation for Sterling Bay’s recently approved residential development in Lincoln Park, a lease agreement to allow the city’s electric vehicles to charge in two downtown parking garages and the sale of multiple city lots.

The committee will meet at 12:30 p.m. in council chambers.