Mayor Brandon Johnson is all but giving up on his proposed $300 million property tax hike before aldermen kill it, and pushing them to find other revenue in its place to avert layoffs. Johnson’s administration is combing over alternatives to the tax jump ahead of a meeting Wednesday where the City Council is expected to vote it down.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said his proposed 4 percent increase was just a play to increase engagement on the city’s budget.

Johnson campaigned on a promise not to raise property taxes, but said he was left with no choice given the city's massive budget shortfall.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is all but giving up on his proposed $300 million property tax hike before aldermen kill it, and pushing them to find other revenue in its place to avert layoffs. Johnson’s administration is combing over alternatives to the tax jump ahead of a meeting Wednesday where the City Council is expected to vote it down.

Alders are expected to vote Thursday to reject Mayor Brandon Johnson's $300 million property tax hike, aimed at closing a $1 billion gap in the city's budget. Why it matters: The hike would boost taxes by 4.

Dozens of aldermen called for a special meeting to vote down the mayor's proposed $300 million property tax increase.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling an audible, as he walks back his proposal for a $300 million property tax hike to balance the budget.