Chicago and Cook County Voters Address Ballot Measures on Gunshot Detection and Taxation

Chicago residents cast ballots on three advisory questions and two school-related measures during the 2026 election. Cook County voters also participated in a separate vote on a state-level tax proposal. The results of these referenda serve to measure public opinion rather than enact immediate policy changes.

The city ballot included a question on restarting gunshot detection technology to alert first responders to gunfire. Voters were also asked if Chicago should create a permanent outdoor space for large-scale festivals and events.

A third city question addressed financial compensation from the federal government. It asked if the city should pursue lawful means to recover costs and economic harm caused by the Trump administration's ICE operations. This included the Midway Blitz operation led by Greg Bovino, covering lost tax revenue, public safety costs, and services for affected families.

Chicago Public Schools voters considered two additional advisory measures. One asked if Illinois should use revenue from a surcharge on millionaires to increase funding for public schools. The second asked if the city should require owners of long-term vacant or undeveloped commercial properties to pay an additional annual charge to support the schools.

In Cook County, voters weighed in on the Millionaire Amendment for Property Tax Relief and Education. This proposal would enact a 3% income tax surcharge on millionaires. Fifty percent of the new revenue would provide property tax relief for residential and commercial taxpayers, while the other half would improve state funding for public education.

The Associated Press delivered the election results, and sample ballots from the 2026 election provided the text for the questions presented to voters.