City Council Approves Emanuel Plan To Reduce Water Bills For Some Charities
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago City Council has approved Mayor Emanuel's plan to reduce the water bills of some charitable groups, but negotiations are still continuing, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
City Council Approves Emanuel Plan To Reduce Water Bills For Some Charities
The alderman have approved the plan to grant free water service only to churches, charitable groups, and some hospitals that serve the public that have assets of less than $1 million.
Religious leaders say that threshold is too low, but Mayor Emanuel suggests the way the assets will be calculated may be adjusted in coming days.
"I think we came out with the right balance. It was obviously, I think it is fair to say, a reaction. So we have restructured it in a way that I think both achieves and respects all taxpayers in the City of Chicago. It is true to the notion that we are no longer going to subsidize to the tune of $20 million," said Emanuel.
The mayor has also outlined his parking meter agreement that includes free Sunday parking in the neighborhoods and longer metered hours downtown.
