Thursday, October 18, 2012
Video gambling, cigarettes, guns and ammo would be taxed under Cook County's new budget plan. Golf and picnic permits at the Forest Preserve would cost more, too.
Targeting smokers, gun owners and gamblers, a slew of new and unusual taxes and fees designed to raise $43 million are proposed for Cook County's $2.95 billion 2013 budget. Board President Tony Preckwinkle released her spending plan Thursday, saying $50 million in spending cuts are planned, too, and 462 open county jobs would be eliminated. But public attention will focus on the taxes: The proposed budget avoids a property tax hike. Nine of 17 commissioners need to vote for Preckwinkle's budget for it to pass. The county projects $25 million would be raised via the cigarette tax. Today, the total federal, state and local tax levied on a pack of cigarettes is $4.67 in Chicago and $3.99 in the Cook County suburbs. The tax on guns and ammo…
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Where do you stand? Do video poker machines or other electronic gambling devices boost business or are they no good?
Video gambling could soon be fixture in Oak Forest bars as the City Council examines language that currently prevents establishment owners from obtaining licenses for the amusement devices. On Tuesday, council members approved measures that removed prohibitions from two places in the local ordinances. A third item has yet to be voted it; it was referred to the city's Planning & Zoning Commission. What is evident among many council members is a desire to allow businesses the ability to obtain a license for video gambling. Among residents and readers of Oak Forest Patch, the feelings are a bit more mixed: Oak Forest resident Sandi Czyznikiewicz, who attended Tuesday's council meeting, "I don't know if anyone is sitting back and considering…
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Removing language that dates back nearly 28 years from the city code that prevents video gambling might be a boost for the local economy, according to the City. Three votes at Tuesday's City Council meeting could open up discussion on the issue.
A series of votes on Tuesday could open up discussion on how to handle video gambling in Oak Forest bars. Three measures on the agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting, if approved, would remove language from the city code that prevents the use of video poker and other electronic forms of gambling at establishments with liquor licenses. Removing the language would bring Oak Forest's local ordinances in line with the State of Illinois standards regarding video gambling. Officials believe lifting the ban would help promote businesses and the local economy, according to city documents. The intention with pushing forward removing the prohibitive language, which has been in the city code since July 1985, is to create the ability for the City …
BUTCH
10:10 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Remember HARRY TRUMAN he said" when the GOP stops lying about me I will stop telling the truth about them" It has been my daily chore to follow these words of wisdom! problem is they can't shut up! more ›