Jul 21, 2009 2:55 pm US/Central
Cook County Board Members Vote To Cut Sales Tax
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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A defiant Cook County Board President Todd Stroger lashed out at commissioners during a board meeting May 5, 2009. The board voted 12-3 to repeal a 1 percent sales tax hike increase enacted in 2008.
CBS
Cook County may soon shed the dubious distinction as home of the highest sales tax in America. Board members voted Tuesday to roll back part of a controversial tax increase by a half-percent. Commissioners passed the cut with enough votes to override a promised veto by Board President Todd Stroger.
Stroger said, "Oh, I'm gonna veto because I think it's right. Compromise doesn't mean you throw the baby out with the bath water. It means you do somethin' that makes sense. And I don't think this makes sense."
Stroger backed the 1 percent hike last year, which pushed the overall sales tax for county residents past 10 percent. The sales tax here would soon be 9-3/4 percent, if 14 Cook County Board members have their way.
Many Board members believe the decrease will bring positive change for Cook County.
"This is a good day for the County taxpayers," said Tony Peraica (R-Riverside).
Earlean Collins (D-Chicago) said, "We have to cut back in our homes. Out families' budgets are cut, and we have to cut government as well."
Timothy Schneider (R-Hanover Township) said, "I think the business of this county are gonna feel good about seeing their customers come back into their stores and purchase goods and services"
Local businesses are also optimistic about the roll back.
Ralph Hughes, Vice President of Macy's said, "Just a signal that Cook County is sending it back below 10% is really a marvelous gesture on their part."
Jim Alighire, manager of Hannah's Bretzel in the Loop, said "It's ridiculous. It's easier to go outside of Cook County, because it's a lot cheaper."
The rollback would take effect on Jan. 1.
On May 5, the board voted 12-3 to repeal the increase outright. The hike made sales taxes in Chicago the highest in the nation, at 10.75 percent.
But Stroger vetoed the repeal vote six days later, warning that if the tax were cut, then county health care and other vital services would also have to be cut. He held a news conference at Provident Hospital of Cook County the day after his veto, and said if the board's vote had stood, Provident might have had to close.
Assuming Stroger follows through on his veto threat, the next showdown could come in September when the County Board will hold its next meeting.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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