Posted on 09/19/2007 7:40:26 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
One Cook County commissioner wants to increase the county's portion of the sales tax, and if approved, the sales tax in Cook County would go up to 11 percent. That tax increase would also apply to restaurant and hotel bills.
Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy said the additional tax revenue would be used to avoid another crisis when it is time to come up with next year's budget.
It appears everything is on the table as Cook County commissioners prepare for next year's budget. The last time they called for a sales tax increase was 1992. Some commissioners say it is time to get help. But retailers are saying, look elsewhere.
It looks like the board of county commissioners has had enough job cuts throughout the county, including their own staff. They're looking at a gap in the 2008 budget.
"We just need to do something other than cut jobs if we want to maintain services to our residents," Commissioner Murphy said.
The proposal asks for increases in service and sales taxes. To retailers in Chicago, that means a sales tax would go from nine percent to 11 percent. Some are concerned that an even greater tax will send tourists and shoppers elsewhere.
"We have retailers and restaurants all over the country trying to take market share away from North Michigan Avenue," said John Maxson, Greater North Michigan Avenue Association. "Frankly, this is the kind of thing that really is detrimental to the city as a whole."
The commissioner said it would have little effect on the bottom line for retailers and restaurants and hotels.
"Cook County is a destination place," said Murphy. "We have great conventions and conferences here. The sales tax is going up 2 ¾ percent. That's not a back-breaking increase."
The commissioner agreed something needs to be done.
"If they support some other revenue increase, then, that could help fill the gap. But maybe we still would need a sales tax, but as stated maybe not two percent, maybe 2.5 percent. We need to make sure we keep the system going," said County Board President Todd Stroger.
The proposals now go to the board's finance committee next month, and eventually there will be hearings, and people will have plenty to say.
The two-percent increase comes on top of the nine percent, which is almost a 30 percent increase in the sales tax.
Yup....it would seem to me that if you can’t meet the budget requirements, you cut the budget. But I guess that’s too easy. To them, it’s easier to take more of the peoples hard earned money for their pet projects.
I live in central Illinois, which is bad enough thank you.
Ah yes, another beautiful day in the People’s Republic of Illinois.
They have only made minimal cuts over the years. Cut 25% of the employees and they would still function fine. Cut the pension plans to reasonable levels and they would save huge amount. Cut the outrageous benefits and they would save millions. But no, raising taxes is the only damn thing they know how to do.
Looks like they’re trying to turn Illinois into Michigan.
Wait till HillaryCare comes along — you’ll really be paying some major sales tax then.
11% is high. We have 7% in Pittsburgh and I think that’s a lot. You have my sympathies.
This is happening county level. Does Daley even have a say?
You’re in IL and don’t like Chicago? It’s one of the cleanest and most dynamic big cities in the world.
I think Joan is missing the alternative crisis they are instigating. Oh well, more businesses and job opportunities down the street in Indiana.
Thanks, Chicago!
"All your jobs are belonging to us!"
Wonder if Cook County also has an Income Tax and Property Tax?
Frankly, I’d prefer a sales tax and no property or income tax. I’d be money ahead at 11%..
They paint it as if the government NEEDS a raise. Haven’t had an increase since 1992. Wrong, they take a PERCENTAGE. They get increases all the time. Why not give raw numbers of tax income?
11%, you have got to be kidding me.
And I thought WV’s 6% was a little steep... sheesh.
Sarcasm can be funny AND tragic. Well played. Short, Simple and clever.
Govenment is a growth industry. Government's size will not contract even as the population it serves might. Government exists to provide middle-class income jobs to otherwise unemployable people.
What? How is that again? I can't find the cynical seed here.
9% is the highest I’ve ever heard of; 11% is criminal.
Too bad these idiots are too stupid to understand this viscious cycle:
Gov’t wants more money
Gov’t raises taxes
Business and people flee, decreasing tax base
Gov’t gets less money
Gov’t wants more money
lather, rinse, repeat.
Hey, dolts: You don’t have to PAY for TAX CUTS, they pay for themselves. YOU DO PAY FOR TAX INCREASES.
Now, that might not hold if the tax rate was low enough that a small increase had little economic impact, but 9% isn’t low enough, and a 2% bump is not small!
Leah Hope is another numerically challenged journalist. 9% to 11% is a 22.2% increase, less than 25% and closer to 20%.
When visiting I have shopped on Michigan Ave, but will be reticent to do so if the sales tax goes up to 11%. It’s a hard sell at 9%. This may also impact the convention trade. There’s got to be another way. It’s Chicago. Couldn’t they add all those voters from the cemeteries onto the tax rolls?
Wrong. I just moved my integration lab from the Countryside area to a location in Fairfax, VA. It was simply too expensive to fly to Chicago and bear the outrageous costs of working in the area. The new location is 3 miles from my colleague's house. My hardware fabricator is a 20 minute car ride from the new lab. It cost all of $400 to ship the equipment from Chicago to Fairfax. Less than a single round trip ticket on an airline for one of our project team.
“This is happening county level. Does Daley even have a say?”
King Daly does whatever he wants regardless of whomevers rights he tramples on.
Massachusetts has 5%...and two-thirds of the state's residents are within a 30 minute drive from the huge malls of New Hampshire...which has no sales tax.
Have you ever been there? It’s a great city.
MN, MI, and IL are giving WI a golden opportunity!
Too bad it’ll never happen...WI would consider it real progress if they came in just below the tax rates and absurd spending of the others. :(
Obama is in there too
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Yep...Iowa is heading in the same direction. Curiously, South Dakota isn’t and they may be the ones who benefit from the outflow of jobs and people from the other states.
“Looks like they’re trying to turn Illinois into Michigan.”
They already have.
A portion of the 9% sales tax already goes to the county. If 1% is the current share, then an additional 2% would be a 200% increase in revenue. Would I like a 200% increase in my income? HELL YES!
My wife is from Chicago. I rescued her. :o)
We visit often. Like San Fran and New York, its fun to visit but I won’t live there.
“Obama is in there too”
And Jesse Jackass Jr. and a shlitz load of other Facists.
Uh huh...raise taxes so that we can save government jobs and maintain social services. Yeah, that's the way to go if you want to drive out businesses and the rest of the middles classes out of the city for greener pastures! I say go for it, Chicago!
SoDak just hasn’t had enough time to change. The changes I’ve seen there in 12 years of travel make me think its only a matter of time.
Cook County has representative government. If you vote socialist for decade upon decade, then you get the socialism that you voted for.
Well. East St. Louis is worse.
It's a hell hole and people like you are the reason why.
That's an 11% sales tax for the county they are talking about. That would be in addition to the 6.5% state sales tax.
Well, stand by Murphy.
You're about to get a new version of your law.
Try getting the tourists and conventioneers back a few years from now...
I think you forgot something in that post...
Maybe I’m cheating as I don’t actually live there but within less than an hour of driving distance. I love it. I can’t imagine not having it as a cultural resource.
Yup, once you chase them out with exhorbitant taxes and they get comfortable in a new city, they don't tend to come back! More national conventions to Vegas, anyone?
That whoosh sound you hear is businesses leaving the city of chicago for anywhere else.
Yup, once you chase them out with exhorbitant taxes and they get comfortable in a new city, they don't tend to come back! More national conventions to Vegas, anyone?
Not yet.
MI has CCW, must issue. IL has the FOID card.
More fuel for the machine.
Cutting back some of the patronage jobs won't solve the problem, but the citizens might think that government was at least trying to cut back their awful spending.
Well if 11% would be good for the county 15% would be even better. I suggest they go for the gold and raise it to 20%. Give other taxing authorities something to reach for.
eliminate all taxes and spending and go from there
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