Alderman Desmon Yancy expressed concerns during a November 4, 2025, town hall regarding Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed 2026 budget. Yancy highlighted that expanding the rideshare surcharge beyond Roosevelt Road could disproportionately affect South Side Black residents who depend on rideshares.
"If you're heading downtown to go pay a property tax or buy a city sticker or to come to City Hall, you're going to pay more for those rides than you have paid," said Yancy, 5th Alderman. "I feel like that's a little bit regressive and would like to see a little bit more imagination when it comes to how we're taxing people."
This critique underscores equity issues in Chicago's strategy to address a significant budget shortfall without increasing property taxes. According to the Chicago Tribune, new fees on services like rideshares might unintentionally burden low-income communities reliant on affordable transportation options. The proposal is part of a broader $438 million tax increase intended to fund city services but has sparked debate over its potentially regressive impact.
The Journal of Regional Science reported that studies show congestion pricing on rideshares can result in higher fares and decreased ridership in predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods, limiting access to downtown for administrative tasks or employment. In Chicago's South Side, where African-American residents are a substantial demographic, such surcharges have historically led to fewer single trips involving the congestion zone. This reflects broader trends where ride-hailing fees disproportionately impact non-white areas, potentially worsening mobility inequities.
Desmon Yancy serves as the Alderman for Chicago's 5th Ward, which includes neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, South Shore, and Greater Grand Crossing. He was elected in 2023 as the first Black male representative of this ward. Mayor Brandon Johnson, inaugurated as Chicago's 57th mayor in 2023, previously worked as a public school teacher and organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union. Both leaders emerged from progressive grassroots movements that shape their approaches to city governance.
Before his election, Yancy was an activist advocating for police accountability and led efforts to establish an elected civilian oversight board for the Chicago Police Department. He also served as Senior Director of Organizing at the Inner City Muslim Action Network, focusing on community engagement and social justice initiatives. His priorities include public safety reforms, affordable housing, and economic development in the South Side.