CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Operators of Wrigleyville restaurants and bars aren't happy about with bill that passed the Illinois Senate that would obligate them to charge a 1 percent tax on food and beverages to help pay for construction at McCormick Place – eight miles away.
"My phone has kind of been burning up since this morning when we just found out this was happening," Maureen Martino, executive director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday.
She said at least 600 restaurants and bars in Lakeview would have to collect the 1 percent tax under an expanded McCormick Place taxation area.
"There has to be another revenue stream that the state and the city need to start looking into to bring these types of projects to fruition. It can't be another tax. You're taxing everybody," Martino said.
She said the Lakeview entertainment district is not getting any money for badly needed infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks on Clark Street.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she needs to learn more about the proposal, which moves to the Illinois House.
The $600 million project would tear down most of the existing lakefront McCormick Place building and develop new space on King Drive.
