Chicago Alderman Discuss "Commuter Tax"
While not up for action, idea has support in City Hall.
Some Chicago alderman voiced support Monday of a so-called “commuter tax” that would tax suburbanites who work in Chicago but don't live there.
While the issue isn't on the table at City Hall, the Chicago Tribune is reporting, the concept was on a list of 63 revenue raising options Inspector General Joseph Ferguson listed in a report released Tuesday.
The “commuter tax” would be a 1 percent income tax on commuters that would bring in an estimated $300 million a year. While some alderman like the idea because commuters use city resources without paying for them, the report cautions the idea could backfire, as a similar tax in Philadelphia caused businesses to leave, according to the Tribune.
Readers, what do you think? In some ways, the “commuters use resources but don't pay for them” is a similar argument that some made when Downers Grove recently annexed roughly 475 individual properties. Is it valid?
Paul
12:18 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Come on chicago. Give me a break. I work in chicago. I also buy lunch in chicago and buy other things while I am down here in chicago. These politicians no matter at what level just simply stink. There is no other way of putting it. I have seen street lights on in the middle of the day in chicago and this is just one of what I am sure is a 100 things this city can do to balance there budgets. How about the aldwerman taking a cut in pay like people have to do in the private sector?
PabloKoh
12:38 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Drop the number of alderman from 50 to 20.
Jeffrey Crane
5:59 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Drop the number of alderman from 50-0.
Kent Frederick
3:23 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
First, doesn't Chicago still have the head tax, which was the brain child of Mayor Richard J. Daley.
Second, the head tax sent a lot of businesses to the suburbs. Between the increased income tax and a commuter tax, businesses might not only flee the suburbs for Chicago, but also Illinois.
Third, what happens if a person works from home, but is assigned to a company's Chicago office? Or if a person is a road warrior and may only be in the office 2 or 3 days a month? People will argue that either none of their income should be taxed, or only the amount represented by the number of days that they actually commute into Chicago. There is a lot of work for lawyers.
Fourth, is this even legal? I was under the impression that only the State can levy a tax based on income. Otherwise, Chicago would have started taxing the income of residents years ago.
Jeffrey Crane
5:58 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Anyone who gets off the train at Downers Grove from Chicago will now be charged a commuter tax (fee). What a bunch of Bozo's. Also remember when in the city NOT to make any purchases!
Kelly
6:36 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
In that case the suburbs should reciprocate (sp?). Residents of the City of Chicago shop, dine, staycate and generally "use" suburban resources too. Chicago is also in Illinois and we all already pay state taxes - does the City of Chicago EVER use any of that money? for anything?
Chicago Aldermen also recieve large expense accounts for cars, offices and bottled water, etc. If the truely cared about "thier" City they could start cutting the fat there maybe?
Maybe everyone from the suburbs should stop patronizing the resources of United Center, Wrigley Field, US Cellular Field and Soldier Field? Oh wait...there are taxes on tickets for these venues, right?
BBS11
7:49 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
We moved our sales office to Oak Brook in 2004 for similar shenanigans related to Daleys Head tax. Please cut the size of City Council and its insecurity details by 40% and you will find the revenue you need for critical City services.