Cook County Board OK's Budget With Tax And Fee Hikes
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Hang onto to your wallets: The Cook County Board has passed a new budget, and, it's going to cost you.
The board approved the spending plan in a 16-1 vote Friday.
Under the plan:
--A so-called "use tax" on cars, boats and trailers will go up a quarter-percent and now will be 1 percent.
--The county tax at private parking garages will be 50 cents a day. That's on top of the $2 a day the city will be charging.
--Parking will now be charged at the six county courthouses -- 4.50 a day. The exceptions are for jurors, witnesses, or police officers who are testifying.
--Vehicle stickers for drivers living in unincorporated Cook County will double, from $40 to $80.
And, if all these increases drive you to drink, that will cost you more, too. Beer is going up 3 cents to 9 cents a gallon. So is hard liquor -- from $2 to $2.50 a gallon.
"The spirit of compromise and collaboration that allowed us to pass this budget will continue in the weeks and months ahead as we continue to address the challenges that face Cook County," Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a written statement.
