Emanuel To Tie Parking Stickers and Water Service To Inflation

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

Mayor Rahm Emanuel plans to keep bumping up prices for city stickers and water services to match the cost with inflation. The Tribune reports that in addition to increases over the next four years, rates would continue to rise each year by the consumer price index, up to 5 percent per year. Defending the hikes, Budget Director Alex Holt said Chicago has "one of the lowest water rates in the country" and the fees will keep Chicago comparable with other major cities.

"This will keep the price of delivering fresh drinking water to Chicago and 125 suburban communities on pace with broader economic trends,” Holt told aldermen during opening day of City Council hearings on the mayor’s budget.

The news came at a City Council hearing on the mayor’s budget for next year. At present, the projected budget hole for next year is $636 million.

In addition to rising prices, Emanuel’s budget cuts library hours, closes three police stations and lays off a number of part time city workers. Budget Director Alexandra Holt said the plan “makes some tough choices about cutting expenses, while at the same time encouraging innovation and reinvention of city government.”

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By aaroncynic in News on October 20, 2011 2:20 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

chee1rs

good move

jayburd2020

But then why should his top staffer's pay go up at 3 and 4 times the rate of inflation? More fuzzy spin on the part of Rahm. It's all because he finds it easier to raise taxes on average residents than standing up and making true fundamental changes in city government (closing TIFs, consolidating fire houses, pension reform, reducing
exorbitant tax breaks for top 1% corporations). That would require making enemies of the ranks he needs to help run for high office. We are all paying for his ambition. How unfortunate. Since Rahm ran as the first
"homeless mayor" ever, I guess it was silly for me to hope he was more
of a man of the people. ;) But for a humorous look back at Rahm's carefree
homeless days and the new-car smell of his campaign victory, check out this
YouTube video: http://tinyurl.com/4ys6b8t.