Emanuel: Fee Increase Needed To Make 911 Operations Self-Sufficient

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Emanuel says it's "premature" to say if a higher tax on phone bills could be used to reduce the property tax hike he's planned to help shore up the pension system, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

The legislature has approved a measure that would let the city increase the 911 fee on residents' phone bills, but when asked if that could raise revenue instead of a property tax hike, Mayor Emanuel said the aim is to bring enough money to make 911 center operations self-sufficient.

"That was all going to expire and we were going to have a big hole so they had to renew it. In renewing it, it is also the opportunity to be clear that I don't think we should be subsidizing it from the corporate account," said Emanuel.

He won't say what would happen to any additional funds the city raises above what it takes to run 911.
The mayor is still waiting for Governor Quinn to take action on the city's pension bill which would allow the city to raise property taxes. The governor has until next Monday to do so.