If the Illinois General Assembly refuses to support progressive revenue sources needed to help dig Chicago out of its massive budget hole, Mayor Brandon Johnson may seek a dramatic expansion of the city’s home rule authority to allow the city to help itself, a top mayoral aide said Thursday.
“If there’s no viable option, but there is momentum on giving Chicago more home rule authority, sure, we would be willing to take that on and do what’s necessary for the people of Chicago,” senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee told the Sun-Times.
“If for whatever reason they say, `Look, as much as we believe these are good ideas, we just can’t execute them,’ then we can say, `Alright, well, will you let us do it?’“
The home rule authority that gives Chicago broad power to govern itself dates back to 197