(The Center Square) –Chicago City Council calls special meeting

Members of the Chicago City Council have called for a special meeting next week to likely reject the mayor’s proposed property tax levy increase.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has proposed a $300 million property tax hike in an effort to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap. Johnson said if his budget isn’t approved, the city may be forced to reduce its workforce by 17%, including letting go police and fire officials.

Economic index increases

The University of Illinois Flash Index, a measure of the state’s economy, increased slightly in October. The index rose from 102 in September to 102.2 last month. Anything over 100 indicates economic growth.

The Flash Index is the weighted average of Illinois growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as estimated from receipts for corporate income, individual income, and retail sales taxes.

Illinois’ unemployment rate remained at 5.3%, well above the national rate of 4.1%.

Veterans programs

As Veterans Day approaches and the holiday season nears, the organization Illinois Joining Forces is relaunching Operation Connect-A-Vet, a program designed to link veterans, their families, and essential services.

The group says Illinois is home to 537,000 veterans, including 49,000 women. At least 700 veterans are homeless, and 7% live below the poverty line on any given day. The campaign runs from November through December.