Chicago Mayor Dodges Tax Increase Question Amid Migrant Crisis

Photo by@CBS Chicago/dailymail.co

• Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has avoided directly answering whether he will raise taxes to address the migrant crisis in the city.
• The city is grappling with an influx of asylum seekers, with 20,000 arriving last year and shelters now full.
• Johnson has been criticized for lack of transparency and for not providing a clear financial strategy to handle the crisis.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in a recent interview with CBS 2's Sabrina Franza, repeatedly evaded questions about raising taxes to fund the city's response to the ongoing migrant crisis.

The Windy City is currently facing challenges in accommodating a significant number of asylum seekers, with an estimated 20,000 having arrived last year. The city's shelters are overcrowded, and more migrants continue to arrive, primarily from Texas.

Johnson, who succeeded Lori Lightfoot, has vowed to uphold the city’s commitment to house these asylum seekers. However, when asked about the city’s financial strategy to manage this situation, particularly about increasing taxes, Johnson provided vague responses. He emphasized his vision for revenue generation in the city, focusing on addressing the unhoused crisis, without directly addressing the tax question.

Despite being asked three times, Johnson did not confirm whether a tax would be implemented to support the migrant crisis. Instead, he shifted the conversation towards the federal government's role in managing such crises, comparing the situation with the asylum seekers from Ukraine. Johnson's avoidance of a direct response has led to criticism about his administration's transparency and approach to fulfilling campaign promises, especially regarding public safety and managing the city's budget amidst the migrant influx.

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