The Chicago City Council on Wednesday took the first step on a long road leading to new or increased taxes, amid a demand from one veteran member that cost-cutting come first.
A revenue subcommittee chaired by rookie Ald. William Hall (6th) met for the first time — seven months after Mayor Brandon Johnson created the panel — but the meeting was more like a budget and revenue-raising primer than a genuine discussion of the pros and cons of specific tax and fee ideas.
Alderpersons and top mayoral aides only scratched the surface of a debate on ideas that range from legalizing video gaming in Chicago to the perennial idea of taxing professional services that needs approval from state lawmakers and has never been brought to a vote in the Illinois General Assembly.
