CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) -- A lot of people in Chicago still use taxis to help them get around the city, and those cab rides would be more expensive under a measure cruising to final passage in City Council.
Members of a Council committee on Monday gave preliminary approval to a proposal from Chicago's taxi industry to give the city's cab drivers their first fare increase since 2016.
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection commissioner Ivan Capifali told commissioners that a lot has changed for cab drivers since the year the Chicago Cubs last won the World Series.
"In the years since, the cost of living has increased significantly, and the price of fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance and operating expenses have increased steadily," Capifali said.
The proposal would leave the cost for hailing a cab on the street - which is known officially as the "flag pull" - would remain at $3.25, but the charge per mile would go from $2.25 to $2.79. That's about a 20% increase, though at least one alderman noted that would still be less expensive than the rates many rideshare passengers pay.
The proposal also raises other taxi-related fees, including what's officially called the "vomit fee" charged to people who throw up or create a similar mess inside a cab. Those people will now be charged $100. North side Ald. Bennett Lawson told colleagues he was on board with that change.
"I appreciate the 'vomit fee' doubling ... I don't think you can clean anything for $50 ... but I do think we need a new name," said Ald. Lawson (44th Ward).
Ordinance would give cabbies first raise since 2016; 'vomit fee' doubled
Ordinance would give cabbies first raise since 2016; 'vomit fee' doubled
