Poll Finds Broad Support in Chicago for Higher Taxes on Large Corporations to Fund Schools (Chicago, IL) – A new public opinion poll suggests most Chicagoans favor raising taxes on large corporations rather than property owners to address the city’s budget challenges, with support particularly strong among Black and Latino residents.
The survey, conducted by HIT Strategies on behalf of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), found that 90% of Black and Latino respondents prefer increasing taxes on major corporations to avoid cuts to schools and city services. Across all age and racial groups, large majorities said corporations should contribute more to the city’s revenue.
The poll also indicates strong concern about school funding. Seventy percent of respondents said Chicago’s public schools are not receiving adequate resources. Support for taxing corporations increased further when respondents were told the revenue would go toward education.
The results come as city officials and alderpersons continue to debate budget priorities, including proposals related to school funding, social services, and a potential reinstatement of a corporate head tax.
According to the poll, respondents said they would view elected officials more favorably if they backed measures to increase taxes on corporations. The survey found that 72% would look more favorably on Gov. J.B. Pritzker, 67% on Mayor Brandon Johnson, and 64% on their alderperson if they supported such legislation.
“Chicagoans want to see their city and state challenge the billionaire agenda and institute common-sense policies that have worked in other places,” said Joshua Doss, senior research manager with HIT Strategies. “Taxing large corporations to benefit schools, health care, and other social services is not only popular, it is nearly unanimous among key demographics in the city.”
CTU political director Hilario Dominguez said the results show broad public backing for proposals currently before the City Council. “Alderpersons considering voting no should understand how deeply contrary that position would be to the vast majority of the people they represent,” he said.
The CTU also recently launched an interactive website, protectingchicagoschools.com, which outlines how individual schools and wards could be affected if certain revenue measures are not approved.
A summary of the poll findings has been made available by the union.
Poll Finds Broad Support in Chicago for Higher Taxes on Large Corporations to Fund Schools
