In an exclusive interview with ABC7 Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson stood firm on Friday, defending his budget plan amidst growing scrutiny.

The mayor argued that his proposed taxes on corporations are essential to avoid layoffs and a hike in property taxes, despite criticism these measures have received.

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Johnson reiterated his stance that corporations and wealthy individuals should contribute more. He attributed the need for his progressive revenue strategies to policies from the Trump era and urged the City Council to endorse these proposals.

During the presentation of his budget to the City Council on Thursday, Johnson’s plans received a mixed response, with both commendation and skepticism voiced by council members.

The proposed corporate head tax, intended to support summer youth employment and violence prevention initiatives, would apply to businesses with over 100 employees based in Chicago.

“And so we believe this is a reasonable approach to generate revenue, to challenge our larger corporations, to put more skin in the game, to ensure that we continue to make sure that our communities are driving violence down,” Johnson said.

The business community blasted the plan, along with other corporate taxes.

Johnson was asked if he convened a meeting with labor officials to discuss savings and efficiencies and burden-sharing on their part.

“Well, we did. Well, first of all, let me just say, you know, the vast majority of our corporate fund is geared towards community safety and public safety as a whole,” Johnson said. “So what we’re talking about is we either challenge our larger corporations to put a little bit more skin in the game. Or we cut 1,500 officers from our budget.”

The mayor’s office clarified that the corporate taxes prevent the need for any layoffs or a property tax hike, at a time when Johnson said President Donald Trump’s tax cuts are hurting working people.

“We’re talking about an additional $1,200 per year on average that working people will assume because of Donald Trump’s cuts to the ultra-rich,” Johnson said.

Johnson was asked if the head tax would apply to companies with employees working remotely.

“Well, look, I can’t live in hypothetical. What I can say is that we’re talking about a community safety fund that will strictly go to ensuring that the mental health and well-being of our police officers is secure,” Johnson said. “Hiring people is a part of our safety plan. In fact, this is why this budget is so critical, right? Because this budget protects us from Trump’s cuts. This is what this is about.”

Every politician is always looking ahead to the next election.

Johnson’s budget could be seen as giving the business community reason to rally around a challenger.

“Here’s what we’ve given them; here’s what we’ve handed. We’ve handed the people of Chicago an opportunity to lead the charge,” Johnson said. “Look, I don’t think about my reelection.”

Johnson’s budget director said the grocery tax would only cost the average Chicagoans $50 to $60 a year. It would also produce an estimated $80 million.

“Well, look, I mean it goes back to what I said earlier, that this president has done such an awful job at managing the economic challenges of working people,” Johnson said.

The mayor also defended his plan to sweep a billion dollars in Tax Increment Financing funds, more than half of which would to Chicago Public Schools.

“A TIF surplus goes to our City Colleges; it goes to our parks, goes to our libraries,” Johnson said. “Because that’s the way the law is designed, and so investing in CPS, that’s a good thing, right? And so what I’m simply saying is that I know that there are people who are thirsty to make it about the Chicago Teachers Union. They’re short-sighted; they are short-sighted because the larger, bigger picture ensures that not just our public schools are fully supported at a time in which President Trump is attacking public education.”

The mayor said he’s willing to compromise on the details of his proposal, but not the values it represents, namely corporations kick in more, so working people don’t have to.

He called this his Protecting Chicago Budget, and he said that’s protecting them from Donald Trump.