NEAR WEST SIDE — The Chicago City Council's Progressive Reform Caucus will hold a town hall meeting to give residents a chance to weigh in on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2018 budget proposal.
The mayor's proposed $8.6 billion spending plan for 2018 would raise raise taxes on Uber or Lyft rides by 29 percent next year to fund improvements to CTA bus and train lines. In addition, aldermen are expected to hike taxes on cellphone bills and land lines by $1.10 per month per line to keep the laborers' pension fund out of the red while funding the modernization of the 911 system.
The town hall meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Malcolm X City College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
The fiercest criticism of the mayor's budget plan came from some of the 11 members of the caucus.
Chairman Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) slammed the mayor for painting "a rosy picture" that obscures the fact that it includes tax and fee hikes that he said will hit the city's poorest residents the hardest.
“The mayor would like us to believe that the city’s finances are back on track," Waguespack said. "The scenes in Chicago’s neighborhoods and our public school classrooms, children desperate for resources, tell a different story."
Ald. John Arena (45th) said the mayor's proposal to raise taxes on Uber or Lyft rides was not enough to make up for the drop in public transportation ridership and increased congestion caused by ride-hailing services.
"They need to be a bigger participant in helping us balance our books," Arena said.
Other budget highlights include:
City To Write More Parking Tickets On Weekends Because It Needs The Money
Here’s How The New Cellphone Tax Will Affect You
Huge Drop In Bag Use Costs The City $4.2M But Means Less Litter, City Says
Midsize Concerts Would Be Cheaper, But Big Shows Pricier Under Rahm Plan
$1 Million More To Fight Rats As Rodent Complaints Multiply
$24M Police Reform 'Down Payment' Includes 100 New Training Officers: Rahm