AROUND CHICAGO, Outlying Towns Look for New Ways to Trim Budgets, Save Money!
TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, DEPLETED CITY REVENUES, LEAVE MANY CHICAGO SUBURBS STRAPPED FOR CASH!
In the City of Chicago, reduced tax inflows from anything from the General Sales Tax to the hefty, but unpopular, Real Estate Transfer Tax, have forced the city to look at new ways to generate revenue. Chicago Parking Meters have been privatized, and enforcement made for stringent, in return for a Billion Dollar, 75-Year Lease - very unpopular, but potentially revenue-generating.
New Chicago taxes have sprung up from sales of bottled water and soda pop. Taxes on dog licenses have increased. Some city workers have been furloughed or forced to take mandatory days off. Despite the public contention that there is still considerable waste in Chicago City Government - bloated staffs of mid-level supervisors remain in many city departments, including in Mayor Richard M. Daley's office itself - the city appears willing to trim certain expenses.
In many Chicago Suburbs, however, cost cutting has taken on a new ferocity, and a new necessity, as local municipalities must bridge any annual budget shortfalls, according to State of IL Law.
As reported in the Chicago Tribune by Reporters Georgia Garvey and Gerry Smith, the Village of Schaumburg IL, where the sales-tax-generating regional Woodfield Mall is located, city officials are considering the first general sales tax in village history. In the Northern Chicago Suburb of Evanston IL, layoffs will be likely to close an anticipated $8 Million Budget Shortfall. Consolidating offices or closing city library branches are also on the table.
The far Western Suburb of Naperville IL hired a consultant, at a cost of $60,000, to suggest areas of the city budget which can stand some cuts. Based on their suggestions, several costly local projects will be trimmed next year.
Elgin IL, far Northwest of the City of Chicago, faces a $5.5 Million Budget Deficit. It has banned all city officials from out-of-town travel, and is requiring those found guilty of offenses to handle certain additional clean-up projects, like cutting grass on municipal property, or shoveling snow. Northwest Suburban Hoffman Estates has cut four police jobs in its 2010 budget. The savings here - about $350,000. In the last 18 months, an additional 38 full-time jobs have been trimmed by attrition in the suburb.
Another source of revenue, in Chicago and its suburbs - Red Light Traffic Cameras. The devices are quite unpopular, and it is questionable whether they enhance public safety, in the opinion of many. However, the traffic ticket revenue, at $100/ticket, has filled city coffers with thousands in new revenue at minimal cost.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
