That Cost of Living

Just from the headlines the past few days, we certainly hope the FOP is keeping track of all these tax increases to apply to the expansive (and expensive) pay raise we're going to need to continue living in the city:

• The smoothest budget season of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s tenure ended Tuesday with overwhelming approval of an $8.6 billion spending plan balanced with higher taxes on telephone bills, ride-hailing, and large-venue amusements, along with previously approved taxes on property and water and sewer bills.

The budget passed 47-to-3 with all sorts of tax and fee hikes.

Right after that, this hike went through:

• The CTA plans to raise bus and train fares by 25 cents, the transit agency announced Wednesday.
  
  The fare hikes hikes will go into effect Jan. 7 under a newly proposed budget that knowledgable sources say is likely to be approved next month by the CTA board.

The good news is that this fare hike will dramatically cut down on all the Red Line crime in Wrigleyville/Boystown, putting that particular thorny blog out of business.

And announced right at bedtime Wednesday for the five-day weekend:

• An extra $6.48 would be tacked onto the average Chicago homeowner’s property tax bill under the Chicago Park District’s proposed $462.3 million budget for 2018.
  
  The district announced the “nominal” property tax hike — its first in four years — late Wednesday afternoon ahead of the long holiday weekend, as part of a plan officials say will expand special recreation activities, including pilot programs for “adaptive sports, cultural and social opportunities” across the city.

Park District Program participation is near historic lows if we are't mistaken as families flee the city and costs rise. But in the tradition of Chicago/Cook County, less service at higher prices is the "norm."

Tied in with the State tax surprises, all of this adds up a pretty large cost of living increase. So we're going to need a pretty big raise Rahm. Good thing you have all that unspent VRI money on tap.