Mayor Johnson Eyes Second Attempt at Bring Chicago Home Referendum

Top mayoral aide says repeat ballot measures often succeed despite initial defeat.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Mayor Brandon Johnson may try again to pass his 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum, which would raise the transaction tax on high-end property sales to fund affordable housing and homelessness programs. The referendum was rejected by 54% of Chicago voters in 2024, but the mayor's chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, says repeat ballot measures often succeed despite initial defeat. Pacione-Zayas argues the mayor needs to better educate voters and counter 'disinformation' from business and real estate interests that opposed the measure.

Why it matters

The Bring Chicago Home referendum is a key part of Mayor Johnson's strategy to address the city's affordable housing crisis and homelessness. Its defeat in 2024 was a setback, but Pacione-Zayas believes a second attempt could succeed by building more public support. Passing the referendum would provide a dedicated revenue stream to fund affordable housing and homelessness programs, which the mayor's five-year plan identifies as critical.

The details

The Bring Chicago Home referendum proposed raising the transaction tax on property sales over $1 million to generate $100 million annually for affordable housing and homelessness programs. It was rejected by 54% of Chicago voters in a low-turnout 2024 election, with business and real estate interests spending $2 million to defeat the measure. Pacione-Zayas argues these interests engaged in 'disinformation' that tricked voters into thinking the mayor wanted to raise their property taxes.

  • The Bring Chicago Home referendum was rejected by Chicago voters in March 2024.
  • Mayor Johnson may attempt to pass the referendum again in a future election.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The current mayor of Chicago who proposed the Bring Chicago Home referendum to fund affordable housing and homelessness programs.

Cristina Pacione-Zayas

The chief of staff to Mayor Brandon Johnson and a former state senator, who argues the mayor should try again to pass the Bring Chicago Home referendum.

Ken Griffin

A billionaire businessman who bankrolled a campaign that doomed Governor JB Pritzker's push for a graduated income tax amendment in Illinois, according to Pacione-Zayas.

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What they’re saying

“If you look at the research, [referendums do] not get passed the first time around. And actually each time you are able to get it out and continue to build on the educational foundation for the voters, you do end up finding success.”

— Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Chief of Staff to Mayor Brandon Johnson (suntimes.com)

“We have to look at that mapping and really look at where did we have the pluses and minuses... What are the specific tactics that we can employ to make sure that people fully understand?”

— Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Chief of Staff to Mayor Brandon Johnson (suntimes.com)

What’s next

Mayor Johnson and his administration will likely begin planning a second attempt to pass the Bring Chicago Home referendum, focusing on better educating voters and countering opposition from business and real estate interests.

The takeaway

The defeat of the Bring Chicago Home referendum in 2024 was a setback, but Mayor Johnson's team believes a second attempt could succeed by building more public support and addressing the 'disinformation' that contributed to the initial loss. Passing the referendum would provide critical funding to address Chicago's affordable housing crisis and homelessness.