Races in Chicago area test progressive power

Two local races in the Chicago area on Tuesday will gauge voters’ enthusiasm for progressive causes in an Illinois primary lacking drama at the top.

Progressive Democrats, who have built political power in Chicago over the past decade but received mixed reviews of their governance, are pushing for a change to the city’s property tax that would raise rates on prime properties to fund homelessness programs.

Progressives are also trying to hold on to the Cook County prosecutor’s office as the incumbent, Kim Foxx, who scrutinized the systems but drew criticism, prepares to leave office after two terms.

The contests have sparked debates about Chicago’s post-pandemic struggles with homelessness, crime and empty downtown office space, and the races will give voters a chance to have their say on the direction of the city under Ms. Foxx and Mayor’s leadership Brandon Johnson, a fellow progressive. who was elected last year.

With presidential nominations for the major parties already finalized, the results in Democratic-dominated Chicago could come down to whether progressives or moderates are more successful as voters.

The proposed tax change, which opponents say would be a major blow to the struggling commercial real estate industry, calls for lowering the transfer rate on properties selling for less than $1 million and imposing higher rates on homes and commercial buildings sold for are sold more. than $1 million.

The additional money — supporters say it would be at least $100 million a year — would be spent on addressing homelessness, with the details of that spending to be finalized later. The city council has yet to determine the new tax rates. Mr. Johnson, a former union organizer, supports the ballot measure and made it part of his campaign platform.

Democratic voters in Chicago and its inner-ring suburbs will also choose between two candidates vying to succeed Ms. Foxx, who made promised changes to the local justice system but also faced criticism for persistently high crime rates and her handling of a case involving the actor was involved. Jussie Smollett.

Clayton Harris III, a university professor and former prosecutor, has consolidated support from progressive politicians. His opponent, Eileen O’Neill Burke, a retired appellate judge, is trying to win the nomination by appealing to moderate and conservative voters.

The winner of the primary will face a Republican in November, but partisan races across the country are rarely competitive.