CHICAGO— The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has issued the following statement related to the Chicago City Council’s proposal to add a new 29.5 percent tax on water and sewer bills as means of new revenue for the city:

“The city is certainly in need of additional revenue, but City Hall must acknowledge that once again businesses will be most affected by this latest action. If passed, this new tax will be the next item on a long list of taxes, fees and mandates affecting Chicago’s employers, coming right on the heels of mandated paid sick leave, minimum wage increases, and a record setting hike in property taxes. An additional water and sewer tax does not exist in a vacuum, and moving forward, it’s critical City Hall does more to attract new businesses and retain the ones that are currently here. Only after this happens will our city see real growth in both employment and our economy,” said Theresa E. Mintle, president and CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.” 

About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce 

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,000 member companies, their 400,000 employees, and over $24 billion in revenue. We combine the power of our membership with our legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. We focus on delivering value for our members, making Chicagoland a world-class place to live and work. Visit ChicagolandChamber.org.