Saturday, May 21, 2011

This is on the national news wires... Anger over higher Chicago vehicle sticker prices

Residents Vow To Fight Plan To Raise City Sticker Fees

Some community activists are organizing to fight a proposal to raise the price of a city sticker in Chicago.

They've started a petition drive against a plan by Ald. Proco Joe Moreno to raise $21 million by raising sticker prices based on the kind of car you drive.

Raul Montes Jr., who is leading the effort, says: "It's like everything is going up, parking meters, city stickers now. What's next? Taxes? It's difficult to live in the city."

The activists gathered on a street corner in Wicker Park, where you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who wants to pay more.

"No, I don't want to pay more for a city sticker. I am paying plenty already," said one resident.

SUV and pick-up owners would pay $155, up $35.

The owners of smaller vehicles, now paying $75 would pay $95.

Owners of small hybrids would have to pay $25 for a sticker, rather than the current $75 for passenger vehicles, while large hybrids would pay $65