Chicago Top in Sales Taxes

UPDATE: My friend Marathon Pundit has a couple of fantastic related posts, one on our sainted Senator Barack from corrupt Cook, and a great rant on Rita Rezko.***Yes, it's another dubious distinction, Chicago has the top sales tax rate in the country. Today's the day the Cook County sales tax hike goes into effect. The Tribune calls it grand theft. Rather than cut back as promised, they've already added more patronage jobs and they'll be coming back for even more money. If you're in the Loop at lunchtime, join those opposed outside the Thompson center. CBS2:

Sales taxes in Chicago are now the highest in the nation, and business leaders are furious.

As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, a 1 percent sales tax increase is in effect Tuesday, hiking the sales tax in the city of Chicago to 10.25 percent. By comparison, the sales tax in Lake and Will counties is 7 percent, and in DuPage County, it's 7.25 percent.

A sales tax of 10.25 percent is also significantly higher than the sales tax in other major cities. The next highest rate in the country is in Memphis at 9.25 percent. New York, Los Angeles and Dallas all have a sales tax of under 8.3 percent, Phoenix has a tax of 6.3 percent, and Denver's sales tax is only 3.6 percent.

Trib story here. Call Todd Stroger, call Mayor Daley, call your Cook County commissioners to complain. Gas stations just over the border from Stroger territory are already reaping the rewards.

Commissioners who voted against the increase are calling for it to be rescinded, and will hold a protest today at the Thompson Center at 12:30 pm., led by Tony Peraica, currently a commissioner, running for state's attorney.