Preckwinkle outlines Cook County hotel tax plan to replace cable tax idea
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Friday outlined a plan for a 1 percent hotel and motel tax that replaces earlier efforts to add a 3 percent surcharge onto cable TV bills to help close a $200 million county budget gap.
The hotel tax would generate $15.4 million next year, according to the Chicago Democrat's office. It would be paired with a tax on ticket resellers and $4.1 million in cuts to bring in close to the $20 million in revenue that would have been realized from the cable TV and other taxes.
"Chicago is a world-class city and a major convention center and this should not discourage people from enjoying all our city has to offer," Preckwinkle said in a statement. Her office pointed out that the cost of an average hotel room, including taxes, would still be below those in New York, Miami and San Fransisco.
County Commissioner Tim Schneider of Bartlett said Thursday Preckwinkle's proposed amusement tax on cable, golf and bowling apparently did not have enough votes to pass.
The increases come on top of approval this summer by the board for a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase estimated to raise $473 million next year.
Preckwinkle is also proposing an ammunition tax of either a penny or nickel per round, depending on the category of ammunition.
The tax proposal is expected to be introduced at a special board of commissioners meeting on Monday.