Politics
Old Town Chi Sales Tax Referendum Sets 2027 Start Date for Transit Projects
Old Town Chi residents would begin paying a new local sales tax in January 2027 if voters approve the November 2026 ballot measure, with the first transit upgrades scheduled for 2028.
How we reported this
The Old Town Chi City Council placed a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot that would raise the local sales tax by 0.75 percent to pay for public transit upgrades across the 43rd and 47th wards.
City budget documents show the measure responds to a $120 million shortfall in transit maintenance funding identified in the Metropolitan Transit Authority's 2025 annual report. The referendum would allow the city to collect an estimated $32 million each year once the tax takes effect.
Daily Effects for Residents
Households that spend $400 a week on taxable goods would pay an extra $3.00 per week once the tax begins. The added revenue would support extended hours on bus routes 22 and 151 that serve Old Town Chi commuters and replace aging signal equipment on the Brown Line between North and Division stations.
The legislation states that funds cannot be used for any purpose other than transit capital projects listed in the measure. Local advocates note that property owners near proposed construction sites could see temporary street closures during the 2028 work season.
Implementation Steps
If the referendum passes, the new tax rate would apply to purchases beginning January 1, 2027. The city clerk's office projects that the first contracts for track and station work would be awarded in the second quarter of 2028, with visible improvements on the Brown Line expected by late 2029.
Voters can review the full text of the measure and the project list on the Old Town Chi Board of Elections website. Absentee and early voting for the November 3 ballot opens on October 5, 2026.