City Council Approves Ordinance Ending Free Garbage Pick Up Exemptions For Large Multi-Unit Buildings
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago City Council has approved ending free garbage collections for hundreds of large multi-unit residential buildings among a flurry of other actions, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
The City Council easily voted to remove an exemption that 1,800 buildings had allowing their trash to be collected by the city for free.
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Mayor Rahm Emanuel says ending that inequity is just one step among many.
"That $3 million that comes from what was once a grandfathered group of a thousand plus buildings, that came from a report that the inspector general had issued," Emanuel said. "I have directed Alex Holt, the head of the budget office, to meet with the IG, which he is doing today, to go through all his reports."
He is looking for more money-saving ideas from the inspector general and from aldermen.
On another matter, the mayor was non-committal on a proposal from Alderman George Cardenas to impose a penny-an-ounce tax on sugary soft drinks.
"Without prejudicing anybody, I'm proud that he brought an idea forward and people will analyze their opinion and ask questions," Emanuel said.
He is asking all aldermen for revenue and cost-saving ideas.
In response tot he proposed soft drink tax, Illinois Beverage Association executive director Jim Soreng issued a statement saying in part, ""With approximately 100,000 Illinoisans directly and indirectly employed in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, our members and those who benefit from their success continue to play an essential role in Chicago's economy. The non-alcoholic beverage industry, which includes small and large retailers throughout Chicago, comprises $6.2 billion in wages for occupations that rely on beverage sales in Illinois. The non-alcoholic beverage industry is responsible for $21.1 billion in economic impact in Illinois."
