How Would A Commuter Tax Work, Anyway?

By Daniel Tucker
In Chicago, the Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers mix on Wednesday — one of the busiest travel days of the year.
In Chicago, the Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers mix on Wednesday — one of the busiest travel days of the year.
In Chicago, the Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers mix on Wednesday — one of the busiest travel days of the year.
In Chicago, the Kennedy Expressway is clogged with cars as rush-hour commuters and Thanksgiving holiday travelers mix on Wednesday — one of the busiest travel days of the year.

How Would A Commuter Tax Work, Anyway?

By Daniel Tucker
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One of the top contenders in the race for Chicago mayor floated the idea of taxing suburbanites who work in the city to help cover the city’s pension crisis.

Former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley said the city should consider a commuter tax alongside other revenue-generating measures, including a real estate transfer tax and the legalization of marijuana and casino gambling.

So, how would a commuter tax work in Chicago? And what can we learn from other cities like Detroit and Philadelphia that have commuter taxes?

Morning Shift checks in with an expert on public finance and taxation to get the skinny on various types of taxation Chicago next mayor could consider to raise revenue.

GUEST: David Merriman, professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Illinois, Chicago

LEARN MORE:Mayoral Candidate Bill Daley Says Chicago Should Consider A Commuter Tax (Chicago Tribune 11/29/18)

Chicago Mayor Halted Pension Crisis, But Leaves Big Bills Ahead (Bloomberg 10/18/18)

Emanuel Vows To Address Pension Crisis ‘Before The End Of The Year’ (Chicago Sun-Times 10/12/18)

Chicago’s Debt Dereliction (City Journal August 2017)