Oct 26, 2007 12:51 pm US/Central
Cook County Residents Speak Out On Budget
President Todd Stroger Wants Staggering Tax Hike
CHICAGO (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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