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Non-Binding Ballot Referendums

Early voting is officially open citywide — make sure you know what to expect on the full ballot. This election, all Chicagoans will vote on six non-binding policy questions, with additional questions asked in certain wards and precincts.

What’s the Point?

These current ballot questions are non-binding, so the outcomes don’t necessitate any legal changes. But they’re helpful for politicians and advocates to measure public support on specific issues.

6 City-Wide Topics

This year’s referendums run the gamut from “Midway Blitz” payback to music fest infrastructure.

• ‘Midway Blitz’ reimbursement: During last year’s immigration enforcement operation, immigrant business corridors missed out on an estimated $1 billion-plus in economic activity. Should the city take legal action against the federal government to recover what was lost?
• Permanent public fairgrounds: Douglass Park and Grant Park were muddy messes after this year’s Riot Fest and Lollapalooza, and neighbors remained concerned over festivals disrupting communities. Should the city build public grounds to host events?
• Gunshot detection tech: Two years after the city terminated its contract with gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter, nothing has replaced it. Is it time for Chicago to invest in new tech?
• A millionaire ‘surcharge’: Should Chicago enact an additional 3% income tax on millionaires with revenue split between property tax relief and state education funding?
• More on that ‘surcharge’: Should Chicago use that same income tax surcharge to fund public schools?
• Vacant land penalties: Previously, school board members were split on this idea. Should owners of vacant lots pay a penalty to raise more money for schools?

Additional Non-Binding Questions

• In the 4th Ward, residents can vote on the construction of a Rev. Jesse Jackson statue.
• In the 26th Ward, residents can vote on limiting “shared housing” units (aka short-term rentals like Airbnbs).
• In parts of the 29th Ward, residents can vote regarding development of the former Mars Wrigley site, following neighborhood pushback.
• In parts of the 5th, 7th, and 10th Wards, residents can vote on the remediation of the former South Works site — and whether taxpayer dollars should support a quantum facility and data there.
• In parts of the 5th, 8th, 21st, and 24th Wards, residents can vote on a corporate head tax — much like the rejected tax pitched by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
• On the Mid-North Side and Far Southwest Side, residents can vote on establishing and funding respective new mental health services programs.