Submission of public question by referendum to voters at November 3, 2026 general election on whether City shall impose a 3% surcharge on individuals earning more than $1 million annually to fund public schools and community safety initiatives
Legislation tracker › Committees and Rules
- Record number: R2026-0026835
- Type: Resolution; category: City Council
- Status: In Committee (Direct Introduction)
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: Committee on Committees and Rules
- Submitted Date: Jul 8, 2026
- Introduction Date: Jul 9, 2026
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Impact report
Written by AI from the official document. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
This resolution would put a question on the November 3, 2026 ballot asking Chicago voters whether the City should, if allowed by law, charge a 3% surcharge on people earning more than $1 million a year to fund public schools and community safety programs.
Who it affects
- Chicago voters: Voters across the whole city would see a Yes/No question about the millionaire surcharge on their November 3, 2026 ballot.
- Individuals earning more than $1 million a year: The ballot question asks whether these people should pay a 3% surcharge, if the City is authorized by law to impose it.
- Chicago public school students and families: The ballot question says money from the surcharge would go to fund Chicago's public schools.
- Neighborhoods served by community safety programs: The ballot question says money from the surcharge would also fund community safety initiatives.
- City Clerk and Chicago Board of Election Commissioners: The City Clerk must certify the question to the Board of Election Commissioners so it can appear on the ballot.
What changes
- A Yes/No question about a millionaire surcharge would appear on every Chicago ballot on November 3, 2026.
- The resolution itself does not create the surcharge; it only asks voters for their opinion.
- The question states the surcharge would apply only if the City is authorized by law to impose it.
- The City Clerk would send the question to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
Money
- Proposed 3% surcharge on individuals earning more than $1 million a year, if authorized by law; the money would go to Chicago's public schools and community safety initiatives.
Where: City of Chicago (citywide)
When: The resolution takes effect upon passage; the question would go to voters at the November 3, 2026 general election.
Documents
- R2026-0026835 Millionaire Surcharge Referendum_FINAL__.pdf (Legislation)
- Transmittal Letter Millionaires Tax_2.pdf (Miscellaneous)
Related legislation
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- Executive Order No. 2026-7 (Senior Bill of Rights and Establishing the Mayor's Office on Aging) (F2026-0029547, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Placed on File)
- Issuance of general obligation bonds (2027-2028 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance) (O2026-0029650, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations (O2026-0029642, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
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