Daley says city must ask taxpayers for more (Chicago Tax Hike)

Chicago Tribune ^ | 10/10/07 | Gary Washburn and Mickey Ciokajlo | Tribune staff reporters

[GRRRRR]

Mayor Richard Daley proposed a whopping $293 million increase in taxes, fees and fines today, including a 15 percent jump in Chicago's property-tax levy, believed to be the biggest in the city's history.

Daley, who delivered his proposed $5.9 billion budget at a special City Council meeting, expressed regret for the need to seek more from residents. But he insisted that the issue boiled down to a choice of higher taxes or stagnation for a city that has made great strides.

"I know that many Chicagoans are struggling to make ends meet and facing economic uncertainty, which made developing this budget all the more difficult," the mayor said. "Do we maintain city services and make the investments needed to keep Chicago moving forward, or do we cut services, make substantial layoffs and risk falling behind? I believe we have only one choice: We must keep Chicago moving forward."

[GRRRRR]

Unbelievable, this City of Big Shoulders is just driving a stake deep into the heart of the people, knife thru the gut. It costs so much just to drive into the city and have dinner and maybe a movie. Women, children and poor hit hardest.

Maybe some day they will wake up and toss out the Crime Boss Daley.

[ThreePuttinDude]

Here ya go......the ever expanding move to the ‘burbs
Glad I left when I did.

[bill1952]

Our state is about to double the homestead exception and make homestead portable, while it is in special session to balance the budget by *GASP* cutting spending!

Imagine that Lowering spending to balance the budget..

But you dye hard dems have fun up there.

[54skylark]

Oh but try to open a big box store in the city.

[rod1]

His papa would be proud of him.

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Maybe some day they will wake up and toss out the Crime Boss Daley.

I live about 45 minutes outside of Chicago in NE Indiana. Chicago is a joke. These morons will never learn. Between the corrupt government, from state to local level, to the Daley's, Jackson's and Obama's Chicago is marked to be the next Detriot.

this City of Big Shoulders is just driving a stake deep into the heart of the people, knife thru the gut.

....anything to get that coveted Olympic bid.

[Obie Wan]

Moving to the burbs to escape taxes huh. You know what D’crap politicians say about that, “you can run,but you can’t hide” !!!

[DemEater]

Hey Mayor, how about you END CORRUPTION first. That should save a few bucks. Start with yourself.

[GregoryFul]

Philadelphia is about 10% per household. What are you complaining about?

[GregoryFul]

Oops, 10% more per household

[GRRRRR]

LOL...yeah, thank goodness I don’t live IN the city. My daughter does tho, she drives home to fill up on gas, go shopping for groceries etc.

[sergeantdave]

“the issue boiled down to a choice of higher taxes or stagnation...”

How can a pile of liberal garbage stagnate more than it stinks now?

Well, as long as the sheep are happy and I can fly in ocassionally for a delicious deep dish Chicago pizza, I don’t care how much Daley robs his willing and stupid slaves. (The Polish kielbasa is pretty good, too.)

Not my problem. But please, no bleating on my pizza.

[jocko12]

Daley 293 mil. is a lot of PORK money.

[Clemenza]

Life in suburbia is not much better. Wheaton, Winnetka, Glencoe, Glenview, and even Lincolnwood aint exactly tax-free paradises.

[Fast Ed97]

I have lived in Chicago for 3 years now. I will agree that the city's public transportation system is virtually unique in that it allows its residents the option of not having the responsibility of an automobile and still have access to major points of the city. However, I have not noticed any other perks or benefits provided by the city. It baffles me how they are always short on money given that even residential parking tickets are $50 a hit and the high sales tax.

Mayor Daley must be assuming that Midwestern Yuppie transplants will continue to flock to Chicago and buy $200K+ condos inblighted neighborhoods.

[Malsua]

I will agree that the city's public transportation system is virtually unique in that it allows its residents the option of not having the responsibility of an automobile

New York is better. Paris is better than New York. London is on par with New York. When I go to Chicago on work, I end up taking a lot of cabs and I prefer trains. I wouldn't call it virtually unique. I'd give it a "not bad".

All that said, why does this joker think that new taxes are the way to prosperity?

[prairiebreeze]

It baffles me how they are always short on money given that even residential parking tickets are $50 a hit and the high sales tax.

Ever think of where all that money goes that gets thrown in IL tollbooths all over the state? Certainly not to road maintenance, that's for danged sure.

(obligatory prayer: Thank you God for getting me OUT of the Peoples Republic of Chicago!)

[wayoverthehill]

I left in 1969. Best move I ever made in my life. Last time I was in Chicago was in the spring of 2000. What a craphole. Made me sick to see my old neighborhood that is virtually a third world country now.

Such a shame. Chicago used to be a great city.

[ought-six]

“Mayor Daley must be assuming that Midwestern Yuppie transplants will continue to flock to Chicago and buy $200K+ condos inblighted neighborhoods.”

You obviously don’t live anywhere near Chicago. You can’t buy a dilapidated, termite-infested one-car garage for $200,000 in the Chicagoland area. $200,000 will get you a cardboard box with a view of a graffiti-emblazoned brick wall, and that’s about it.

[prairiebreeze]

So you were there in ‘68? That must’ve been something.

Whoever that female mayor was.....that built all those highrise projects....oughta be shot. Chicago’s demise started around her time I’d guess. (can’t think of her name at the moment, scrawny-necked shrill female mayor)