As the defeat of Bring Chicago Home sinks in, supporters and opponents of the high-end real estate transfer tax hike are processing what happened and how to proceed.

Why it matters: The loss marks the first big setback for Mayor Brandon Johnson's progressive agenda. It's a signal to some that he may be moving too fast, but Johnson has rebuffed such suggestions — exhorting the city to "buckle up."

Catch up quick: While Chicago election officials are still counting mail-in votes, the race was called by the Associated Press last Friday after the ballot measure fell 21,000 votes short.

• The proposal aimed to generate $100 million a year for homeless services.
• Both backers and opponents say more needs to be done to address homelessness in Chicago.

Between the lines: Voting patterns mirrored longstanding political trend lines, with more conservative Northwest and Southwest wards voting heavily against it, and lakefront liberals, especially in Rogers Park, voting for it.

• Downtown and Lincoln Park voters also strongly opposed the measure.

We asked key players why Bring Home Chicago lost. What they said:

1. People not affected by homelessness don't understand it, according to Johnson.

• "I don't believe it's a coincidence that where there are more 'yeses' there's a greater concentration of those who are unhoused," the mayor said last week. "They understood the assignment."

2. Voters fear rising residential property taxes if the measure further hurts commercial real estate, according to Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), who opposed the measure.

• "It's no secret that the downtown buildings are struggling … and so that tax has to be recouped by someone," Quinn tells Axios.

3. People worry that the tax could stifle new development, says opponent Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th).

• "Our concerns about growth, housing stock and our dwindling supply of affordable housing — which, in my ward, is largely built by private developers — resonated with voters," Lawson tells Axios.

4. Citizens have little faith in city leaders, says City Council's progressive caucus.

• Voters had "real questions about whether or not they could trust the government to spend the money the right way," the caucus said in a statement released this week.

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In an effort to be more transparent with riders, the CTA's social media team is conducting street interviews to figure out what needs to be improved.

Why it matters: Social media accounts like CTA Fails and Commuters Take Action regularly point out CTA's shortcomings, from ghost buses to uncleanliness. The "Ask CTA" campaign marks a new online effort to improve the agency's public image.

Reality check: CTA tells Axios none of the questions nor answers are scripted and that interviewees are selected at random. The agency also says CTA boss Dorval Carter will pop up to answer questions directly.

Zoom in: The first video in the series is about — what else? — ghost buses and trains, which a CTA spokesperson attributes to a staffing shortage.

• It debuts as the CTA adds bus routes this week.

By the numbers: There were more than 250 train delays of 10 minutes or more reported last month, and about 4% were more than 15 minutes late or double the expected wait time in February.

• The agency hired more than 100 bus and train operators last month.

Chicago alt-country/soul artist Rachel Drew is back on the scene with a dozen fresh songs.

The big picture: About eight years after her striking "Under the Sun" album debuted, the singer-songwriter is releasing a new record, "Old Sky New."

• Drew is celebrating the release tomorrow night at FitzGerald's, featuring comedy country openers The Famous Brothers.

The vibe: The album's eclectic sounds range from propulsive R&B grooves ("If My Heart Was Made for You") to infectious Bakersfield country pop ("Summer's Over"). Plus, slinky hauntings like "Blaze for You," all connected by Drew's irresistible alto that recalls Dusty Springfield.

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🏟️ Chicago Bears CEO Kevin Warren says the city's lakefront is "the ideal location" for a new closed-roof stadium, essentially quashing the potential of moving the team to Arlington Heights. (Tribune)

A new statue unveiled at St. Sabina Church features Jesus weeping over a body with bullet holes in his back, which Rev. Michael Pfleger says is a powerful reminder about gun violence. (Sun-Times)

📺 WTTW's Paris Schutz is leaving the station April 12 to "pursue a new adventure," per a memo sent to staffers. Brandis Friedman will take on full-time hosting duties of "Chicago Tonight." (Axios)

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

Chicago Bachata & Salsa Festival 2024 at Hyatt Regency O'Hare on March 28:

• In the heart of the Midwest, the Chicago Salsa & Bachata Festival is a diverse group of dancers coming together to party hard. With international instructors, performers, and DJs hosted by Touch Events; you are sure to have an amazing time.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

The World's Fair. The Chicago Machine. The beauty, the grit, the city so real. That's the Final Four of our tourney to crown the best nonfiction Chicago book of all time.

🏆 Biggest win: "Boss" took 80% of the vote over "The Third Coast."

Voting closes at 4pm. Next up: The championship.

The Bulls will host their new mini-concert series following their home game tonight against the Indiana Pacers, Axios Chicago social host Moyo Adeolu writes.

The big picture: The concert marks the second of the new Club Red postgame series spotlighting musical artists at the United Center.

• Singer-songwriter Audrey Nuna will headline tonight's show.

How it works: Win or lose, once the game is over, fans who have purchased tickets to the mini-concert will walk through the atrium toward Club Red.

• The concert will begin roughly 30 minutes after the game concludes. Fans can enjoy drinks at the bar and lounge while enjoying live music.

Go behind the scenes