Crook County: Sales tax increased by one percent to pay for pensions

I think it's time that patriots converge on government buildings with pitchforks. Seriously. Once again people who don't have pensions have to pay more for those that do.

From ABC 7 Chicago:

he Cook County Board approved a 1-percent sales hike tax to help fund the county's pension shortfall, effective on January 1, 2016.

Proposed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the hike is expected to generate $450 million. It was approved with a 9-7 vote.

The Cook County sales tax is currently .75 percent, but next year it'll hit 1.75 percent. That would make Chicago's total sales tax 10.25-percent, which would be among the highest in the nation.

Five years ago Preckwinkle ran for her office promising to repeal the one percent sales tax hike put into effect in 2007. She did so. But now she's a flip-flopper.

Preckwinkle has accepted nearly $1 million in campaign contributions from public-sector unions. Which means she is unable enact real reforms--such as eliminating arcane and expensive union work rules. But Preckwinkle has been bought and sold.

Actually if Preckwinkle was serious about reform she wouldn't take a dime from any union.

The higher sales tax will have a devastating effect on retailers located near Cook County's borders. When these businesses close or move far away--it means fewer jobs for Crook County residents such as myself.