# 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

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- Record number: **R2026-0026835**
- Type: Resolution; category: City Council
- Status: In Committee (Direct Introduction)
- Sponsor: Johnson, Brandon
- Committee: [Committee on Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules)
- Submitted Date: Jul 8, 2026
- Introduction Date: Jul 9, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=84E8D12C-D37A-F111-AB0D-001DD80C6696)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/e38f9888-7130-4078-b68b-ecdc73744e88.pdf). 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/e38f9888-7130-4078-b68b-ecdc73744e88.pdf) (Legislation)
- [Transmittal Letter Millionaires Tax\_2.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/98331ef6-efc6-4cb9-a7bd-bdd1c335dbbe.pdf) (Miscellaneous)

## Related legislation

**More from Johnson, Brandon**

- [Executive Order No. 2026-7 (Senior Bill of Rights and Establishing the Mayor's Office on Aging)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F2026-0029547-executive-order-no-senior-bill-rights) (F2026-0029547, introduced Dec 8, 2026, Placed on File)
- [Issuance of general obligation bonds (2027-2028 General Obligation Borrowing Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029650-issuance-general-obligation-bonds-general-obligation) (O2026-0029650, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)
- [Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029642-fiscal-year-2027-budget-recommendations) (O2026-0029642, introduced Oct 21, 2026, Referred)

**More on City Council**

- [Tribute to late Michael Keller Ditka](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029456-tribute-late-michael-keller-ditka) (R2026-0029456, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to 40th ward voters at February 23, 2027 election on whether Chicago should support moratorium…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029440-submission-public-question-referendum-40th-ward) (R2026-0029440, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago 30th Ward voters on February 23, 2027 election on support for adoption of ranked…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029263-submission-public-question-referendum-chicago-30th) (R2026-0029263, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0026835-submission-public-question-referendum-voters-november · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt