CLTV Local News

Cook County sales tax increase

Starting on July 1st, Chicago will hold the crown for having the highest sales tax in the country. It's a title most shoppers would be glad to give back in a heartbeat. The sales tax will be 10.25%, much higher than the 7% sales tax in neighboring counties like Lake County and Will County. Shoppers will definitely head to cheaper places to shop. But my question is, What would be the other option? I'm not saying I agree with the increase, but the other alternative is cutting government programs and services. I guess what I am asking is, Would you rather pay more for goods or lose valuable services? It's a tough question to answer for some. No matter what outcome you pick, people are going to rally and be upset. Of course, you could boycott and stop shopping in Cook County, but that will hurt the honest business person working to support his or her family. Something needs to change, but what? Just cutting so-called patronage jobs and things like that won't bring in enough money to balance the budget. Hard cuts need to be made. Where would you start?

Posted by Aaron Baskerville on June 30, 2008 12:51 PM in Continuous coverage | Permalink

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://weblogs.cltv.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-t.cgi/78856

Comments (4)

PC Ordway:

Todd Stroger is a moron, and worse yet, another corrupt, lazy politician. He is an embarrassment to government and is actively destroying the economic base of Chicago and Cook County. Chicago will be Baltimore in a few years if he gets his way. He should be recalled (probably not possible given this broken system we're subjected to) along with the dozens of friends and family members he's put on the payroll.

GET RID OF TODD STROGER!!!!!!!

Posted by PC Ordway | July 23, 2008 4:41 PM

Posted on July 23, 2008 16:41

Juli:

I just moved out of Cook County to Buffalo before the taxes went up. At first I was homesick for Chicago and Evanston, where I have spent every day of my life, but now hearing about the taxes, I'm kinda glad I left. Buffalo is no Chicago by any means but now I'm more willing to give it a try in order to enjoy life because I sure couldn't afford to do it in Evanston. I really couldn't do it after the tax hike. I'm sure there will be a serious homeless problem erupting. It makes me very sad that the Cook County politicians need to pad their pockets even more while people, who used to be "middle class" I might add, are struggling to feed their family as I did. GOODBYE CHICAGO... unfortunately GOOD RIDDANCE!

Posted by Juli | July 13, 2008 12:26 AM

Posted on July 13, 2008 00:26

Mike K:

The problem with Cook County is that the increase does not necessarily cover valuable services that might otherwise be lost, but most likely will continue the bloated government of the county. I personally am fed up with the high taxes in Cook County, both property and sales. Unfortunately, I live in Cook, but will make every effort to buy all my goods now from Lake County since I live near the border. I refuse to continue to pay for Cook Counties inability to effectively manage the government. I find it unconscionable that at a time of economic downturn where most citizens are hurting to pay their bills our government goes ahead and raises taxes. If Cook County government were a private business they would be out of business due to poor management, but unfortunately with government you do not need to make tough decisions and manage well you only need to raise taxes to cover your mismanagement. I only hope the citizens of Cook remember this during the next election cycle and vote the Cook County board members that voted for this increase out of office.

Posted by Mike K | July 1, 2008 5:41 PM

Posted on July 1, 2008 17:41

Octavio:

Good article Aaron, but there are a lot of places to cut spending. Aside from all the BS six figure jobs the city gives out to all its good time buddies, we have so many places to trim the fat.

Fist, I would say to cut out some of this beautification project. Our streets are full of wholes but hey at least we have flowers to look at as our tires explode from hitting a crater in the street. Our mayor is spending millions of dollars trying to bring the Olympics to Chicago. Great?! Who does that help? Not me and not may of the average citizens that will have to pony up the money to get them here. Yeah some people might get jobs build stuff for the Olympics but who do you think is gana have to pay for their salaries? Wouldn't that money be better spent on education or infrastructure?

another good place is maybe if we could spend less money paying plaintiffs that were beat by our police department, or paying for court cases to charge our own government; George Ryan, Tony Rezco.

That's Just a bunch of bull when you say that we need everything on Todd Stroger's budget. Just like you need everything in your garage/basement, or even on your desk I'm sure there are a few things that could go and you would still be able to do your job just fine.

In conclusion I think this city's government is filled with people that are looking to stuff their own pockets and rip Chicago off as long as no one is looking. And guess what, no one really is.

Posted by Octavio | July 1, 2008 5:00 PM

Posted on July 1, 2008 17:00

Cook County sales tax increase

TrackBack

Comments (4)

Post a comment