Budget Includes New Fees, Keeps Rent Help

CHICAGO-Despite a projected $123-million budget deficit this year, raising property taxes will be the method of last resort for closing the gap, says Mayor Richard M. Daley.”Even though each could generate millions of dollars in revenue, I have chosen not to propose any additional increase in the property tax or sales tax or any other tax,” Daley says.

Daley’s $4.6-billion budget does include fee increases as well as new expenses that will be passed on to residents, and in some cases, developers. The city will institute a contractor reinspection fee of $75, as well as a developer accessibility review fee of $85. Also, various zoning permit fees will be increased. New revenue streams will add $7.2 million to city coffers.

While the new budget emphasizes security and public safety in the wake of Sept.11, it also calls for city workers to “do more with less.” However, it does add $500,000 to the $6.5-million Low Income Housing Trust Fund, which subsidizes rents for low-income residents. It is the largest locally funded rent subsidy program in the country. Another $6.1 million is earmarked for city homeless shelters.

“When we think about the economy, we need to look beyond the bottom line of our government and pay attention to those who have been hurt much more deeply than we have,” Daley says. “It’s one thing to worry about finding the money to pay for a new roof, but what about those who literally have no roof over their heads?”