Chicago voters back ballot questions on gunshot detection, taxes and more

Chicago voters weighing in on questions that touched on some of the city's biggest debates as well. Yes, these are non-binding questions. This is more of a temperature check. Votes are still being tallied, but some strong yeses across the board on these questions. First up. Chicagoans were asked whether Chicago should bring back gunshot detection technology, and 94% of votes have been counted, it's a resounding yes. And this is a rebuke of Mayor Brandon Johnson, who ended the city's contract with ShotSpotter back in 2024 amid debate over the cost of it, its effectiveness. And then many city council members pushed for it to come back in some form. It appears the people are with the alderman on this. Another one of the non-binding resolutions on the Chicago ballot asked if millionaires should be taxed to pay for schools and property tax relief. 81% of voters say yes, with 95% of the vote counted. Voters also asked if the city should ask for compensation from the federal government for costs tied to ICE operations, including Midway Blitz. That's also at 94% of votes counted, I should say, with yes votes leading by a wide margin. Researchers estimate that heightened Federal immigration enforcement led to more than $1.2 billion in lost retail and restaurant spending across Cook County. And finally, another question asked whether Chicago should develop a permanent outdoor event site for things like Lollapalooza, street fests, that kind of thing. The yes votes were in. It would be an outdoor venue. It would have major festivals, big gatherings. Although, even though folks are Voters overwhelmingly said yes to the idea. The question didn't specify where that space would be located. All right.