Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday condemned as “aldermanic prerogative at its worst” the decision by downtown aldermen to block plans to raise commercial property taxes along North Michigan Avenue to bankroll security improvements after two rounds of looting.
Lightfoot said commercial properties fronting the Magnificent Mile are “suffering and hurting” after a dramatic dropoff in sales and foot traffic and were willing to tax themselves to shore up their defenses and lure back shoppers.
But Aldermen Brian Hopkins (2
nd) and Brendan Reilly (42
nd) blocked plans to create the special taxing district.
“The businesses in the downtown area came to us in light of the challenges they experienced and were facing over the course of the summer and the fall and asked for help. Were willing to be taxed. And what you saw was a manifestation of aldermanic prerogative at its worst,” the mayor said.