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Opponents Of Increased Sales Tax Blast StrogerWBBM 780September 27, 2007By Nancy HartyOpponents of a proposed sales tax increase in Cook County stood outside the board president's office to outline their objections Thursday. WBBM's Nancy Harty reports. Democratic Commissioners Mike Quigley and Forrest Claypool criticized President Todd Stroger for supporting a plan to raise the county sales tax from 3/4 percent to 2 and 3/4 percent. The two percent increase really represents a 266 percent increase from the current tax, according to opponents. If approved, Chicago consumers would pay a total sales tax of 11 percent - the highest in big cities in the country (Cities in Alabama and Arkansas have sales taxes between 11 and 12 percent). Claypool says the hike "would simply prop up a decrepit and bloated patronage system that is a jobs factory for politicians." Quigley calls the tax increase "a body blow to a local economy already facing the possibility of a recession." Business groups also blasted the proposal. Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, predicted if the tax goes through, Chicago will lose convention and trade show business. Ed Shurna, director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, asked if the county will restore some services if the tax is raised. John Meyer owns BJ's Market and Bakery in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood. He says his customers can't handle a price increase. A vote on the tax increase is slated for Monday. Quigley, Claypool and Commissioner Tony Peraica say they are opposed. Quigley predicts the tally will be close - probably determined by one vote.
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