CHICAGO (WLS) — Mayor Brandon Johnson said during a news conference Tuesday that he’s ready to continue negotiations with City Council members who are working to defeat his $300 million property tax hike.

This comes as a special city council meeting is delayed.

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Alderman sources said that at this point, behind-the-scenes budget negotiations could result in the property tax increase being reduced to $135 million, or even $100 million.

The mayor did not confirm any figures, but said he was willing to work with council.

As Chicago homeowners wait to see whether the proposed $300 million property tax hike will survive or be changed, the mayor has repeatedly stressed that he is willing to work with City Council members, who made it clear that they opposed his project.

“Should Chicagoans know that I really want to work on this dynamic? Absolutely, I’m serious about this. Absolutely, that’s why we put forward this proposal in the first place, and that’s why we don’t dictate not the rules and the success of this budget,” Johnson said. “I don’t necessarily consider that a rejection. I’ll put it like this. So, as a public school teacher, we sometimes do things to get people’s attention. And now that we have the attention of everyone, I’ve said from the beginning, this is a proposition I’m a collaborative mayor.”

Alderwoman Emma Mitts said the mayor’s team suggested to her Tuesday that the property tax hike could be lowered to $135 million.

“Well, today I’m grateful that they took my advice from last week to say, you know, you need to meet with the aldermen,” said 37th Ward Ald. » said Mittens.

“I think it’s pretty clear that Council does not support a $300 million property tax increase proposed by Mayor Johnson; you can only go in one direction based on this message from Council.” , said Andre Vasquez, 40th Precinct.

Several other ideas have now been floated to raise revenue, including raising trash collection fees, while still protecting seniors on fixed incomes.

The mayor’s team met with aldermen Saturday and Tuesday to discuss ideas.

“But what I understood was a fluid conversation about revenue, ideas like property tax, you know, for iCloud and other online clouds that could generate up to almost 100 million dollars”, 25th Ward Ald. » said Byron Sigcho Lopez.

But with the property tax hike now questionable, a series of future department budget hearings have been canceled or postponed.

“What we know is this: We are working to ensure that we move forward line by line, to reduce this budget as much as possible before we ask the taxpayers for another $1,” 15th Ward Ald. » said Ray Lopez.

“We knew there were reductions, that there were efficiencies, that he could do structural things. He refused to do them,” said 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack said of Johnson.

The mayor on Tuesday chastised journalists who pressed for details on the current status of negotiations.

“Here’s what you can put into your story, that the mayor of the city of Chicago is true to his word as a collaborator and we collaborate greatly. Write this, okay? He’s the collaborator in chief,” Johnson said.

With these developments and Wednesday’s funeral of former Alderman William Beavers, the extraordinary meeting of the municipal council The vote on the property tax increase, scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until Thursday.

But Mayor Johnson said layoffs and furloughs were still out of the question and he would not delay paying additional pension this year.

The mayor denied misinterpreting the Council when it announced the property tax increase.

“My finance team continues to have in-depth discussions about other forms of revenue they should consider,” Johnson said.

Asiaha Butler of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood has worked to increase homeownership in this neighborhood.

“It could be 1%, 3%, 5%, whatever the case may be. This is an area where we’re all doing our best to maintain our properties,” Butler said. “It’s only 23 percent of us, and that number has gone down significantly because of other things, city fines, taxes, whatever, and so any increase would be a problem.”

For now, discussions are continuing.

Johnson also took a strong stance Tuesday against plans by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration to target migrants for deportation, even if it costs Chicago federal funds for law enforcement.

Johnson has made it clear that he will not compromise his values.

“We will not bend, break or cower in the face of anyone’s threat; we will stand up and unite around our shared values, and they have my assurance that I will protect the families of this city ” he said. said.Asiaha