CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to publicly announce Friday her framework for reopening the city of Chicago and the city's needs from Springfield.
Mayor Lightfoot had a conference call Thursday with dozens of Democratic state lawmakers to spell out her Springfield agenda, which according to the Sun-Times includes extending the so-called 911 phone tax, a Chicago casino, and no cuts to the city's share of the state sales tax.
In 2017, the phone tax was increased by state lawmakers from $3.90 a month to $5 for every cell phone and land line in Chicago. According to Ford, Lightfoot told lawmakers she needs them to reauthorize the tax to avoid costing the city even more money, especially with the budget hit caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
During the call, Mayor Lightfoot also reportedly pushed for a Chicago casino and no cuts to the city's share of the state sales tax.
"I asked her pointedly because the landscape has changed and the state has its own problems. I said, 'I heard you speak about the casino and the 911 fee. Do you have any other revenue enhancements that you might be looking for out of us in Springfield?' And she said, 'No. You've heard 'em all,'" Ford told the Sun-Times. "She was very calm about the financial situation of the city. I don't know how. But she is."
