Chicago Mayor's budget seeks $108 million property-tax hike

[on-ramp]

Mayor's budget seeks $108 million property-tax hike
Daley says city must ask taxpayers for more

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-budget_web10oct11,0,5883396.story

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."

The head of a tax watchdog group had another view.

"The Civic Federation is in shock and awe," said Laurence Msall, president of the organization. "We are shocked because of the enormity of the proposed property-tax increase. . . . We are in awe because of the huge overall increase in the budget he proposed—increasing the city's spending by $700 million, or 12 percent over the last two years.

"We are very disappointed that homeowners and other taxpayers are being asked to shoulder the burden of a $108 million property-tax increase without a more comprehensive plan for why the money is needed and how it will be spent."

The owner of a home with a market value of $225,000 would pay about $100 more a year, according to city budget officials.

The city is now joining the state, Cook County and other units of government in a multifaceted push for more money, said Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

"It's positioning us for a tax revolt," he said.

In addition to the property-tax hike, the long list of increases proposed by Daley would be imposed on phone users; people who buy beer, wine and liquor; and those who lease cars and office equipment. Fines for certain parking offenses would rise, and owners of big sport-utility vehicles would pay $120 a year for their city stickers, up from $90.

A new 10-cent tax would be imposed on every bottle of water sold in the city.

Meanwhile, property owners would be paying more on another front. The water fee would rise by nearly $44 million in 2008, and the sewer fee by almost $21 million under a plan that would build in further rate increases for the following three years.

Little in the way of new programming is planned for the coming year. Among initiatives will be the hiring of 50 new police officers and deployment of 100 more police surveillance cameras citywide.

In an attempt to make the property-tax increase more palatable, Daley said money from the increase would be spent to operate city libraries and build new ones.

The City Council will conduct weeks of budget hearings on the mayor's plan before a vote later this year.

Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) said he won't support a budget that increases property taxes.

"I'm going to stick with my pledge to my constituents," Fioretti said. "I'm still looking for ways that we can streamline government."

But Ald. Manny Flores (1st) said he is open to the property-tax increase because he has been trying to get a new library on Chicago Avenue in his ward.

"Unlike a typical property-tax increase, what we're looking at here is a budget line item for libraries," Flores said.

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The mayor says the city has progressed since he's been mayor... WOOOO.... yeah, by making the citizens POOR.

Good progress, Mother-fuvker.. keep up the good work.

[legion]

This is highly unusual.

Usually, Daley tries to get the rest of the state to pay for Chicago's excesses. The legislature is full of Daley's lackeys. I don't want any more of my money to go to a Chicago. I will no longer visit that socialist hell-hole on principle. I've seriously thought about starting a "secede from Chicago" campaign for the rest of the state.

I don't want the Olympics in Chicago, because he will stick it to the state (by means of his boy Blago). ("It will benefit the whole state. ©" )

With all of the entitlement programs in the city of Chicago, I'm glad that they are actually expected to pay for some of their own bull$h!t.

Daley still wants the state (me) to kick in money to "save" the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). God forbid people in Chicago have to pay fares that reflect the costs of running the trains, buses, etc.. No, instead he wants the state to raise income taxes to pay for the program. I live 150 miles from Chicago and in the 18 years I have lived in this state, I have used the CTA exactly once.

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Keep in mind the name Daley has ruled Chicago for 50 years, him 20 years, and his father 30 years before.

[strupgolf]

" Risk falling behind". What the hell does THAT mean. Oh yea, Chicago is going to fall behind what, NY, Tokoyo, Madrid. in what kind of way. Daley is like all the rest, don't cut spending, raise taxes. But like all the rest of them, he'll stay in office just like daddy did because all the voters dont have a clue to where they are going.

[nota]

just tax the big buildings like shopping centers and office towers at the full real loaned values
someone needs to walk down the hall to the loan records dept from the property office

and see what the real loan amts recorded there are

btw I bet your town has the same deal
but few big fat cat building owners ever pay the full tax bill anywhere

[cstreit]

"A new 10-cent tax would be imposed on every bottle of water sold in the city"

I like this one though, it's a yuppie tax.

[NICKG]

well they have to keep up with the NJ governor...don't they.

[legion]

Another thing Daley keeps pushing for is an income-tax/property tax swap. He wants an income tax increase for a property tax decrease.

Sounds fine right?

But property taxes go to counties/municipalities/schools. Income taxes go to the state. This would give the state more income and counties/municipalities/schools less. The state would then have more of an ability to decide which counties/municipalities/schools get funding.

Guess who always wins when the state hands out money? You get a gold star if you said "Chicago".

Guess who loses? Anywhere but Chicago. And the further you get from Chicago, the more you lose.

My wife taught in rural Mattoon, IL for one year. The conditions were despicable. IIRC, Chicago spends something like $2,000 a student per year. (And most of the funding came from tax-redistribution from the state.) Mattoon spent something like $500 a student (the area is mostly robbed by the state). Funny thing is, for all the money they spend, Chicago still has lower graduations rates than Mattoon (and they weren't all that great in Mattoon). Chicago has a lot of clout when complaining. You hear all about "poor, inner-city schools". You never hear about "poor-rural schools that are poor because all of their tax dollars are being sent to the inner-city".

[HardDrive]

I think Chicago is an amazing, world class city largely because of the leadership and vision the Daley family has provided.

[legion]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I think Chicago is an amazing, world class city largely because of the leadership and vision the Daley family has provided.

You're right, they learned how to get the state to pay for things the city should be paying for.

You do realize that the Daleys are some of the most corrupt politicians in the state of Illinois (and that is saying a lot)? It always amazes me how every scandal stops just short of Da Mayor, and every time he simply says: "I had no idea." Every time, the press and the voters buy it.

Illinois will be a better place when Richard Daley dies--Lord knows he won't be out of office a day before that.

[bt1211]

Daley and Blogo aint friends.

Daley has done a lot for Chicago but the corruption/cronyisum is staggering. I too am insulted that everytime there is a scandal he says"I had no idea". He knows every inch of this city.

I think the only thing that will stop Daley will be the "John Burge" issue.