“IMMORAL Land Grab” — Brandon Johnson Blasted for Forcing Homeowners Out with Surging Property Taxes

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing intense backlash as critics accuse his administration of orchestrating what they describe as an “immoral land grab,” driven by rapidly rising property taxes that are pushing long-time homeowners out of their neighborhoods.

The criticism comes amid reports of significant tax increases affecting working-class and middle-income residents across Chicago. Homeowners say they are being squeezed by higher assessments and mounting tax bills at a time when inflation, interest rates, and living costs remain high.

“This feels deliberate,” said one South Side homeowner who has lived in her house for more than three decades. “People who built these communities can no longer afford to stay.”

Opponents of Mayor Johnson argue that the tax increases disproportionately impact families on fixed incomes, particularly seniors, while opening the door for developers and institutional investors to buy up properties at reduced prices once residents are forced to sell. Some have labeled the trend a quiet form of displacement masked as fiscal policy.

Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have been especially vocal, accusing Johnson of prioritizing ideological spending goals over neighborhood stability. They point to increased city spending commitments on public programs, union contracts, and social initiatives as drivers behind the need for higher tax revenue.

“This isn’t progressive — it’s predatory,” one city critic said. “You’re taxing people out of their homes and calling it equity.”

The Johnson administration has pushed back on the accusations, insisting that property tax adjustments are part of a broader effort to stabilize city finances and fund essential services, including schools, public safety, and infrastructure. City officials argue that the tax system is designed to distribute the burden more fairly and that relief programs exist for eligible homeowners.

“We are working to protect vulnerable residents while ensuring Chicago can meet its obligations,” a spokesperson for the mayor said. “No one wants displacement, and we are expanding exemptions and assistance programs.”

Still, critics argue that relief programs are complex, poorly advertised, and insufficient to offset the steep increases many homeowners are experiencing. Community groups report a rise in inquiries from residents considering selling their homes or leaving the city altogether.

Housing advocates warn that continued tax pressure could accelerate population decline and hollow out neighborhoods already struggling with disinvestment. Some analysts note that while Chicago has long faced fiscal challenges, the speed and scale of recent increases have intensified public anger.

The controversy has quickly become a political flashpoint, with Johnson’s opponents framing the issue as a test of his leadership and commitment to the city’s working class. Supporters counter that decades of mismanagement left few easy options and that difficult decisions are unavoidable.

As Chicago residents brace for upcoming tax bills, the debate shows no sign of slowing. For many homeowners, the question is no longer about politics, but survival — and whether they can afford to remain in the city they have long called home.