Oct 26, 2007 12:51 pm US/Central
Cook County Residents Speak Out On Budget
President Todd Stroger Wants Staggering Tax Hike
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Cook County Board President Todd Stroger delivers his budget address. (File)
CBS
Cook County residents had their chance on Friday to speak out about the proposed county budget and President Todd Stroger's staggering proposed tax hikes.
A public hearing was held at the County Building before Stroger and the 17 county commissioners.
Last week, Stroger unveiled a $3.2 billion budget for 2008 which called for a hike in the county sales tax to 11 percent – more than any other major U.S. city. It also called for doubling the county gasoline tax from 6 to 12 cents a gallon, and doubling the county parking tax. A monthly parker paying $30 in taxes would pay $60.
Stroger named the reason he believes tax hikes are needed right at the top of his address, calling it the "big white elephant in the room" – the county's long-standing structural deficit. He said since the county holds the line in property taxes in its budgets, and its collection has been flat, there needs to be a revenue base to provide services and bridge the budget deficit.
He said the county would consider cutting or eliminating taxes if they resulted in a surplus over a few years.
Many commissioners have protested Stroger's budget plan and called it bad for their constituents.
State law requires the county to pass a balanced budget by the end of February each year.
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