Nickel and Diming Businesses
Not content with having the citizens pay for years worth of mismanagement, Shortshanks squeezes businesses. From a reader named Juvy Probation:
- I received a letter as a business owner asking me to contribute to this program. The city that wants me to contribute to this is the same city that forced me to appear at a city of Chicago municipal violation hearing today for a ticket I received in the mail for an "illegal" sign in front of my business. This is a sign I have had for 25 years, it is a a-frame or sandwich sign just like the thousands you see all over the city. When I contacted the city, they told me these signs are illegal and there are no permits for them. At my hearing I was fined $200 for the sign, and an additional $40 court costs.
This is the same city that issued me a $150 ticket for parking in front of the loading dock door to my business to unload , and when I went to a hearing I lost that too. The same city that has made parking in front of my business a $1.25 an hour and costing me at least 20% of my customers. It is really irritating to see all the small business owners appearing for these hearings for violations like this and being fined hundreds of dollars. It is especially irritating for me as I work in the criminal justice field and am in courtrooms at least once a week, where the I see the majority of cases are dropped. I guess it is better to be a drug dealer in Chicago today, you don't need a permit or license, and if you're caught, your case is usually dropped with no cost to you.
An interesting field trip would be to go to 400 W Superior and watch everyone get convicted and fined, and then go to any misdemeanor court and watch virtually everyone walk out with no consequences. More taxpayers need to realize how much we're getting screwed over while nothing happens to the bad guys. I would love to know how many 911 calls lead to arrests, then lead to cases being filed, then lead to convictions. I know the average juvenile case we get usually has close to at least 10 arrests before anything happens.
Well, when you are a business owner with a license that can be held over your head for not paying fines, you're going to pay on the first offense or else. Of course, there's always the option of moving your establishment out of the city.
Labels: money questions
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
55 Comments:
Don't forget that the city stopped giving businesses 3 warnings before fining them for false alarms. Every offense now gets you an ANOV and a fine. Storm set off your alarm...fuck you, pay me. Homeless guy tested your door to see if it was unlocked...fuck you, pay me. How long before we become Detroit? More importantly, why do we allow it to go on?
If you move your business out of the city, I may actually end up being a customer....I spend most of my money outside the city...Groceries, clothing....even schools and churches. Silly me...I even Redbox in the suburbs!
Tax drug dealing, or give them an ANOV along with the arrest.
City is now charging businesses for surveillance cameras that project over the sidewalk, as well. AND they want the right to tap into the camera's transmissions and be able to aim it remotely.
I guess it doesnt pay to better yourself or own anything here... fvck it already
YOUR RIGHT THERE BUDDY! The city is not intreasted in prosecuting misd. cases it cost too much. But, if you get fined for a small infraction of a stupid city ordinance the city will be up your ass to collect. It's just the Democratic Daley way. So, the only thing I could tell you is STOP voting Democrate!!!!! VOTE DALEY OUT!!!!!
"Nickel and Diming Businesses"
This how daley treats businesses, he screws them. People tell me stories like this almost every day. Common sense would seem to dictate they would win their case but there is no common sense at Dept. of Revenue, 400 W Superior.
The man is 100% correct, it is pay or else.
Soon I will take my retirement check and flee to spend it elsewhere.
My fines in order to renew my license total over $800 this year One is $343. for not requesting an inspection on a job a year and a half ago, the plumbing inspector was there almost every day and inspected the job and approved it, so I felt no reason to request one the city sent me the citation with several BS charges I demanded a hearing with time sheets and GPDS records for the inspectors that were at this job, the day of the trial/hearing no inspectors are present, the city attorney had the balls to ask me what I was there for that day, I asked him where all the inspectors were, he told me we can settle for $300. plus costs or come back again, made me say fuck it I want it over, they had wanted $1800. in fines so I took the offer, sad part is I really dont want to continue working in the city but if I do not pay these fines I can not renew my Journeyman plumbers license which I need for my state contractors license, big catch 22
Chicago politics is a f'n criminal enterprise that robs the hardworking man. Daley is piledriving this city into the ground.
As much as I love the people here, I can't wait to get out of Chicago/Crook County.
The difference??? You, as a business owner will pay the fine and the mutt caught with dope wont. The same reason why the dept. of revenue will write cars in Beverly and not in Englewood.
Every business , large or small that's able to do so should move their businesses to adjoining suburbs or Indiana.
That way Chicago and the aldermoney grabbers can't dip in your pockets as much.
I'm starting a small business and it won't be in Chicago- I moved it to a small suburb. There are a lot of suburban shopping and strip malls that are desperate for tenants.Fuck you Daley, aldermen, and Dept of Revenue.
W. 26th St have illegal food vendors on the street, sidewalk permanently fixed at one location!
Where are the city inspectors issuing tickets to generate revenue for this sanctuary nieghborhood of illegal immigrants!
Juvy, why you and other small businesses don't pack your tents and flee shitcago is not understandable.
I know many people that buy outside of the city and county. The parking was the last straw for many. Why deal with da mare's fees when I can go 1.5 miles to a similar store with a lower tax rate and free parking.
Good luck juvy but the writing is on the wall.
As (then) a Sgt (since retired) I recall going to a meeting on a (then) NEW program called... ANOV.
The Corp Counsel there outright said the program was intended to make money for the city, thus that was why the hearing bldg at 400 W. Superior was renovated into courtrooms.
They elaborated that they had some actuarial type of formula where a business owner would be found guilty and fined a determined amount that would well make up for some shit bum charged with begging (now legal) and a no-show in court.
They also had a CPD Lt. who supposedly was on the think tank committee that put this farce into existence.
Even worse, the stories I hear from Cook County Jail are worse. On a whim I have gone down to 26th to witness courtroom actions. First of all, it is sick to watch the assistants wheel in the caseloads for the day. A shopping cart full. Then when you hear the accused criminal histories, disgusting. Yet many of them walk. I heard a guy bragging that the easiest case to beat is a murder case, next to that, drug cases. What is wrong here?
All of these fees and fines are to pay to support the ghetto dweller and illegal aliens who milk the system for every benefit. Keep voting for the democrats and we will continue to get more of the same.
This letter should be the lead story on all new broadcasts and newspapers.
The writer of this letter should go to court for a week in all 5 of the misdemeanor branches. Write down how many cases were thrown out and how many were actually set for trial of the offender pleaded guilty. The taxpayers would see who is to blame for crime in this city. The taxpayers would get a glimpse of the Chicago catch and release program. The taxpayers could get a great glimpse of hearing Officer in court and then hear noly pros and a few other we don't prosecute in the city of Chicago. The taxpayers then could get a real look at the city once the city arrests come up. $100 plus $50 so on and so forth. The taxpayers would see the city and county loves to fine but cares nothing about actually putting offenders in jail.
Hello to all media nitwits who read this blog. This story should be investigated. This is called reporting. Most of the media don't seem to have a clue as to what that is.
Move to the suburbs. I will gladly shop at any business that take its business out of Chicago. I already shop in the burbs but will make it a point to visit any business that has been driven out of Chicago. I am my family are out of Chicago as soon as I can retire.Criminals now run the City.
why are A frame signs illegal anyway? not having to crank your head to find a business while driving seems more safe.
I am getting ready to open a small business and had always hoped it would be in my hood, in Chicago. Over the past year, my plans have definitely changed. I agree with the previous post: I love my friends but this is a city that is on the downfall. I am only looking forward to leaving now.
Thanks for bringing this out on a blog that thousands of Chicago citizens view with officers every day...I as a 28yr plus Sworn officer have seen the economic plunder to all businesses in 019, cause closure and more empty commercial space after the new parking boxes went in during the past year. I have never seen so much total business loss and no one parking on our commercial strips in my 58 yrs in Chicago as in the last 3 yrs. Instead of hiring felons from the ghetto to hammer parking enforcement from 0600 to 1100 at night(depending on location) seven days a week and killing off the rest of the non liquor establishments; put a freeze on this parking nightmare before its too late. Or we can continue to roll towards becomming Detroit with no way back. Me, I've seen clearly the citizens(myself included) being forced out, of the City I once said was the Best! I can't afford to stay here on pension, but I can live very comfortably in 90 percent of the rest of the United States. So hopefully I escape before Daley sells the Water rights to the highest bidder and I can't afford tap water...all that is left after that is the air we breathe. Bottom line fellow citizens, time to vote out Daley and cut out at least half/ 25 aldermen and the bulk of the patronage army, fleets of city leased cars/ unlimited TIFs, and you know all about county and state graft. Start voting correctly and every time before it doesn't matter. Oregon here I come if not Tennessee, so many choices so little time. KMA
your a hard working tax paying citizen and they fine u to death and now have to pay for health care for these DOGS.UR a "DOG" and u get free medical,link card,SSI and god knows what else.And since they own shit u can t even take them to court or have them pay a fine,which is why the city comes after joe working citizen. CAn t wait to move out of this state.
As long as its those licenses for liquor stores, its fine with me.
the city should be fining people for "Nuisance violations" like littering, noise, barking dogs, car and burglr alarms constantly going off, block parties making noise till all hours of the morning, drinking in public, public parks; etc; instead of hastling legitimate motorists and businesses. the city knows that the legitimate people always pay up though, so they let the hard to collect from bums slide, always. this is why all Crook County Politicians must be voted out ASAP
400 W Superior is a kangaroo court of the worst kind. Getting rid of it would take a lawyer and a bunch of people with enough grievance to take it up to the Supreme Court.
Why? Because the crap they pull at 400 Superior is un-Constitutional. Someone with a municipal code citation is automatically guilty and pays a fine. No due process, something the City has diligently ignored for years, and no right to a defense. Instead, its' take a fine or we'll just nail you with a higher one if you protest.
I know of two businesses that have moved out of the city and grown because they are now in the burbs.
Both have hired extra employees, probably because they moved into non-democratic towns..
ANOV along with the arrest.
5/02/2010 12:17:00 AM
Like they are going to pay fine
I have friends who are small business owners who fled the city eight years ago when they got tired of this crap. They saw the writing on the wall back then. As lifelong city-dwellers, they were heartbroken.
How's this! I dont' write those stupid ANOV's! If I have to right one, they never get filled out right enough to pursue a case!
SO fuck you Daley!
As a City employee of Chicago.
I in fact, do all of my business outside of the City limits! Everything gets bought outside of this thieving city, my gas, groceries, my big flat screen t.v. etc.
Then when I retire, I am moving out of this corrupt city the very next day!
I go to my getaway place, where the county and state tax total 6.25% on all purchases, let alone the prices overall are cheaper!
It ain't that far people about an hours drive out of this shithole!!
That is my big FUCK YOU to Mayor Daley and the 50 thieves!
The way Chicago is going, you would have to be out of your mind to stay here. I had relatives with similar circumstances in New Jersey. My father in law owned a small office building. In 2000 his property taxes were $11,000, in 2003 $14,500, in 2006 $15,700 and in 2009 $29,000!
Just fucking leave this shitty city. If they want to tax the working man to death, your alternative is to leave this place.
Once my wife gets her nursing degree, I am going to quit this job and move to Morrisville, North Carolina.
The solution is to become part of the shithead underground economy. Open up a white te shirt/loose cigareete/candy/boot leggér store in your mommas house. Nobody will say a thinv and you will never pay a fine or fee.
There is really no point in locating a business within the confines of Chicago anymore. The taxation is oppressive, the politics and "having to pay this guy" is draconian.
Ideally, you want to locate to an unincorporated part of DuPage, Lake or Will County depending upon the type of business .
Chicago offers high traffic for certain service type businesses and restaurants but with no parking at reasonable rates, fugget bout it.
Watch any business and industry that can relocate, leave Chicago, Crook County and Illinois in the next ten years.
Taxation will drive them out!
Isn't anyone noticing all of the empty strip malls throughout the city???
The City of Chicago is relentless with the Health and Building inspections on businesses now.
I know several businesses that have been hammered for the revenue generation. These are established businesses that do incredible volume and there owners are fedup with Daley and his shakedowns.
Daley has NO idea how pissed off the people really are with his shennanigans!
The 2011 election is going to be are real eye opener to the Machine.
I can't wait to get my retirement and get out of here myself. I'm sick of living here and seeing what is going on.
The dregs and drains on society are encroaching on what used to be safe neighborhoods. Two lovely young women were viciously attacked by a sociopathic gangbanger and addle brained two time loser unmarried baby momma.
Attacking businesses within the City is safer than taking a moral stand against the losers and dregs. Spending money to lock them up would mean less booty for six figure do nothing jobs for the connected.
Juvy Probation, you are 100% correct, but lets not forget how these city inspectors are also slamming the homes of the middle class with fines for any little thing they can find but ignore the west and southside residents homes?
I want OUT of this shithole city, I will spend my pension check elsewhere!
THIS IS WHY ALL THE BUSINESSES ARE MOVING OUT OF SHITCHICAGO! MAYOR YOU CAN KISS OUR ASSES... WERE ARE ALL GOING WHERE WE ARE WELCOME..
W. 26th St have illegal food vendors on the street, sidewalk permanently fixed at one location!
Where are the city inspectors issuing tickets to generate revenue for this sanctuary nieghborhood of illegal immigrants!
5/02/2010 06:51:00 AM
---
They're all over 014, and, like hookers, they've staked their claims on specific spots. I live here, not in Tijuana, and I don't want to see all these carts and peddlers planted on the sidewalks in in the parks and playlots. I guess we have to wait til someone dies of ptomaine to get rid of them, right?
I got summoned to Bldg. court for a porch complaint on a 2 flat I had sold almost a year earlier. The complaint (I never knew who filed)was filed 2 months before the sale so I was still liable according to the city. My attorney got me off the hook for $800.00. The new owner was now reponsible for the "repairs" which included an architect, permits and a certain $6000.00. It's pretty sad cause I've been trying to close 2 drug houses and the city is dragging it feet on this complaint but hounded me w/ legalese and veiled financial threats concerning a funky porch that had nothing wrong with it. Where are the priorities? IDOT Wkr.
I was on tac for 12 years. Never once had a misdemeanor case result in jail time! Not once.
I used to write the city charges, only once did the useless Corp Coucil ask for and got a $45 fine for drinking in the park. One $45 fine in 12 years.
The next month I recieved a court deviation for missing court on a city charge.
Some genious boss couldn't figure out that it cost the city 3 hours of comp time to have me attend a hearing on a case they would not make a dime on.
Never wrote another city charge AGAIN.
Herad dick portillo was asked to build more restaurants in this shit city, he declined as the cost and the hassle is to expensive! Like the air tax on signs that protrude from the building, the driveway tax for each driveway 4X a year! No wonder the businesses are running from the most corrupt city in the world!
"Nickel and Diming"??????
$200+$40
$150 parking ticket
$1800 settled for $300
Pay for parking killing 20% of their business.
To me that sounds like serious money, not nickels and dimes.
While this may generate some revenue, it is all short-term money. In the long run, it will kill the city unless someone gets in there and realizes that there needs to be a total mindset shift in the way the city is run and business is done.
But the city is run in crisis management mode. Only today's crises can be dealt with. And then only is a short sighted simplistic way that paints over the problem and does nothing to solve it. It just puts it off for another day.
But then that is how American business has been run for the last 40 years. That is why the United States is fast headed to becoming a third-world debtor nation.
Don't worry about the illegal immigrants. Soon it will be so bad here they will leave.
Anonymous said...
Daley has NO idea how pissed off the people really are with his shennanigans!
The 2011 election is going to be are real eye opener to the Machine.
5/02/2010 03:15:00 PM
Get real. As much as I would love to see daley and the democratic machine go down in flames it is near impossible that it will happen.
Not with less than 30% voter turnout. they just won't go out to vote and there very likely will not be anyone to vote for except the usual group of thieving co-conspirators.
Sounds nice, "eye opener" "out with the crooks" etc. but it is highly unlikely to happen. daley will win re-election and we will continue to take it in the ass.
Get a fresh jar of vaseline ready.
I had two misdemeanor cases result in jail time of 60 and 45 days each. Of course they did less than half that. The real punishment was the impound of asshole's car.
Those were both resisting arrest and battery on a PO, Three counts each. Misdemeanor conviction. Forget Agg bat to a PO. The PCS that went with it was tossed as were the many traffic tickets.
If I were to again encounter those circumstances i would do a U-turn, look the other way and not get involved. risk my life, get hurt, do paper work for hours, for what? A misdemeanor conviction and a few weeks in jail?
The blinders went on after that. Home safe every day. I'm happy, assholes are happy, the citizens just keep paying.
This is the police department people have screamed for over many years. They asked for it, they got it.
And all traffic violations that involve a regular tax paying legal US Citizen get a contact card only. Tickets go to the illegals.
Daley tells a half dozen restaurants that won't be strong armed into opening another location within the city that they can't participate in Taste of Chicago but he allows every piece of shit gangbangin citizen to come to the Taste and fuck it up for everyone.
Fuck him. He's lost his Mind.
Don't forget that some business even get a bill from the city for boiler inspections every year,only problem is nobody inspects shit.Then Daley has a compressor tax for each compressor that is on the roof or in the basement.Keep taxing the shit out of anybody trying to make a living and give everything to the shitbags FREE!
My advice to ALL business owners. Get out of Chicago.
If your product or service is good; customers will beat a path to your door.
Anonymous said...
City is now charging businesses for surveillance cameras that project over the sidewalk, as well. AND they want the right to tap into the camera's transmissions and be able to aim it remotely.
5/02/2010 12:23:00 AM
Since when does the city claim air rights. Shanks will be soon taxing for air conditioning units that extend past the property line.sshhhiissh!
Anonymous said...
The difference??? You, as a business owner will pay the fine and the mutt caught with dope wont. The same reason why the dept. of revenue will write cars in Beverly and not in Englewood.
5/02/2010 04:49:00 AM
Absolutely! I work in 007 and no one has ever said, "go out and write parkers". I also see very few booters in 007.
We write parkers because we want to. It's futile though, These mutts are more likely not to pay their fines.
Anonymous said...
As (then) a Sgt (since retired) I recall going to a meeting on a (then) NEW program called... ANOV.
The Corp Counsel there outright said the program was intended to make money for the city, thus that was why the hearing bldg at 400 W. Superior was renovated into courtrooms.
Same thing with the red light cameras. They are not there for safety purposes or accident prevention..... they were designed and programmed to generate revenue.
what politician is protecting the illegal food vendors on 26thst
california to pulaski and in humboldt park
where's the inspector general
If you think that is bad, how about parking your RV around the corner from your house because of some work your doing at home and then have a guy tell you twenty=minutes later that "You Just Got Towed"! I ran to the corner and found that in fact it did get tow and was now at 103rd-st. pound. I called and they said, yes we have it and come up with $310.00.
After driving for about two hours (no signs posted listing directions)i was three minutes late & and was told to come back tomorrow, i had to return the following day to pay $370.00.
Veh/car is properly registered, city sticker, state-plates, insured, no-tickets, no warning of abandon veh or past seven days if not moved, nothing??!!
I know I have ordered tows in the past regarding everything a car get's towed for. Sometimes days, or weeks later the car is still there. No wheels, no widows, missing parts, stolen, fire-hazard, investigations, and still the car sits.
Now some moron for what ever reason can get it towed in twenty minutes is amazing to say the least.
And here is the worst of it, it got towed from in front of my home when in fact it was towed from around the corner when listed as an abandon veh for only twenty minutes they said.
I'm going through the hearing process, I only hope that I do get my money back, wish me luck.
The only thing I can say is beware of the tow guy's who regardless of tow address location will snatch & tow you where ever you may be and claim that you were towed from another location concerns me about with would these guys do for a buck/money.
Post a Comment
<< Home