Daley threatens tax hike

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says he will push for another property-tax increase if the state's leaders fail to triple the amount of new money Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to set aside for the public schools. Daley said Wednesday if the Chicago Board of Education is forced to raise property taxes this year, it will be because Springfield forced them to do that. Daley's threat comes months after the city council approved higher taxes on beer, wine and liquor, a new 5-cent tax on bottled water and increased water and sewer fees. The real estate transfer tax was also increased as part of a CTA bailout that included a quarter-cent sales tax increase. In a written statement, Blagojevich aides said the governor "has done more for Chicago schools than any administration in state history."