The Case For Taxing Corporations

Some Chicago alders balked at Mayor Brandon Johnson’s inclusion of a corporate head tax in his 2026 budget proposal. In response, a group of moderate and conservative city councilors put forth a list of alternative proposals that does not include the tax on businesses; instead they rely on raising taxes on garbage collection and liquor sales, as well as budget cuts, which the mayor rejected in turn. Yesterday, we heard from alders about why they’re championing their alternative proposal. Today, In the Loop hears from Julie Dworkin with the Institute for the Public Good and Asha Ransby Sporn with the Black Voter Project for their takes on the alders’ plans. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.