"Understanding the Impact of the 'Bring Chicago Home' Referendum on Illinois Voters"

The "Bring Chicago Home" referendum seeks to change the real estate transfer tax in Chicago, lowering the tax rate on properties sold for under $1 million while increasing it on sales of $1 million or more. If approved by a simple majority of voters, the referendum would establish a special fund dedicated to addressing homelessness. Critics argue that the referendum improperly combines a tax decrease with a tax increase and lacks oversight on how the funds will be spent, while supporters, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, emphasize the need to help the estimated 68,000 homeless Chicagoans, particularly the nearly 20,000 unhoused students in the Chicago Public Schools.