by Greg Blankenship
Bird's Eye Viewer asks, " - City of Empty Pockets?." She points out:
"Have you had enough? I bet, but keep in mind that this is on top of the already pretty outrageous taxes Chicagoans are already paying, according to the Chicago Tribune:
- You have phone service? You pay a 7 percent "telecommunications tax" on phone bills and $1.25 per line for 911 services.
- You own a car? You pay $30 to $90 a year "wheel tax."
- Then there is the real estate transfer tax on homes and other property of $7.50 for each $1,000 of sales price.
- You use gas and/or electricity - you're taxed twice on every gas and electric bill.
But Chicago also isn't too shy to tax suburbanites and visitors who spend money in the city. When visiting you may pay:
- A special 0.25 percent tax on restaurant bills;
- a tax on sales of wine, beer and spirits purchased at package goods stores;
- A tax on parking in garages and lots;
- A fountain soft drink tax on top of the sales tax;
- A tax on admissions to off-track betting parlors, and then yet another tax if you decide to bet there;
- A 4.49 percent city hotel tax, a 5.64 percent state tax. "
