Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum to reduce homelessness through tax on high-end property sales clears City Council

Bring Chicago Home supporters gather in City Hall and hold banners holding the cause's name.

By Fran Spielman (Chicago Sun-Times), November 7, 2023

It’s now up to Chicago voters to decide whether to authorize the City Council to raise the real estate transfer tax on high-end property sales to confront the burgeoning problem of homelessness.

The binding referendum known as “Bring Chicago Home” will appear on the March ballot, thanks to Tuesday’s 32-to-17 Council vote.

Johnson said the progressive movement behind Bring Chicago Home is “bigger than an office.”

“We’re gonna knock doors. We’re gonna talk to people. We’re gonna hold community meetings. And we’re gonna tell the story that one in four Black children who experience homelessness — that ain’t right. … We’re gonna right the wrong,” the mayor said.

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a proud coalition member of Bring Chicago Home.

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Chicago Sun-Times: Sleepless night under Chicago stars affords time to contemplate youth homelessness

By Mark Brown

Snow flurries were falling Thursday evening in East Garfield Park when we arrived at Covenant House, a shelter and resource center for young people experiencing homelessness. It was one last sign to make me doubt the wisdom of my promise to join the organization’s annual Sleep Out Chicago event raising funds for — and awareness about — youth homelessness. What made me think I could withstand even one night outside in sub-freezing temperatures, even though homeless people do it night after night.

Continue reading Chicago Sun-Times: Sleepless night under Chicago stars affords time to contemplate youth homelessness