After some last minute negotiations, the Finance Committee approved a re-work of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed property tax rebate program, including a special “hardship clause” for homeowners with an annual gross income of $50,000 or less.

Attendance: Chairman Ed Burke (14), Joe Moreno (1), Pat Dowell (3), Sophia King (6), Rod Sawyer (6), Gregory Mitchell (7), Michelle Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Patrick Daley Thompson (11), George Cardenas (12), Marty Quinn (13), Raymond Lopez (15), David Moore (17), Derrick Curtis (18), Matt O’Shea (19), Willie Cochran (20), Rick Munoz (22), Mike Zalewski (23), Michael Scott, Jr. (24), Danny Solis (25), Walter Burnett (27), Jason Ervin (28), Ariel Reboyras (30), Scott Waguespack (32), Carlos Ramirez Rosa (35), Emma Mitts (37), Nick Sposato (38), Brendan Reilly (42), Michele Smith (43), Tom Tunney (44), John Arena (45), Harry Osterman (48), Deb Silverstein (50)

No official rules or details as to how the city plans to help homeowners in that income bracket were included in the latest version the committee approved. Instead, at the request of Ald. John Arena (45), a clause was added to the ordinance giving Budget Director Alex Holt the authority to add extra protections for those homeowners. Budget spokesperson Molly Poppe said hardship would be decided case by case, and those who qualify might be eligible to recoup the full amount of their property tax hike.