Back in September, I reported that Cook County was looking at increasing its sales tax. That hasn’t happened yet. However, the City of Chicago decided that one good tax increase deserves another. Chicago’s City Council passed a $0.05/bottle water tax and an $86 million property tax increase. Beer, wine, and liquor taxes have also been increased. The tax increases all go into effect on January 1st.
I guess politicians in Chicago have very little to fear from voters. After all, Mayor Daley was just reelected for a sixth term as mayor. Eventually, though, Chicago residents may come to the conclusion that there’s another way of balancing a budget—cutting some of the bureaucracy.