Not Everyone Wants to go to Chicago but They are Getting Incentive to Leave
Illinois has a problem. It is called Chicago. Chicago has a problem. Chicago cannot seemed to spend only what they raise within their borders. Chicago thinks that everyone in Metropolis wants to help Chicago pay their bills. Chicago based politicians think that all outstate Illinois Residents will come to Chicago and partake of activities.
Chicago based politicians do not realize that there are St. Louis Cardinal fans who would rather watch their team in St Louis than come to Chicago to watch a game. Then there are the St. Louis Blues fans that would rather watch their team play in St Louis versus Chicago.
Chicago based politicians can’t get it into their heads that many outstaters will never come to Chicago.
But that does not stop Chicago Illinois politicians.
The first tax increase is looking like the tolls will be going up on the toll roads. It looks like tolls will be going up. According to the Daily Herald Senate Bill 2111 to raise a $1.5 billion to bail out Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Mass Transit. There will be a $.45 increase for passenger vehicles.
Trucks however will be taken to the cleaners.
Starting Jan. 1, 2027—a 30% toll hike will take effect for trucks, —plus 4% CPI-linked hikes (max 4%). Trucking impact: Elk Grove Village-based Moran Transportation faces a sudden $360K annual hit atop $1.2M in existing tolls.
According to a story in the Daily Herald, Moran Transportation President Mike Moran calls it the worst cost shock in 46 years, warning of rate hikes, higher consumer goods prices, small carrier failures, and safety risks as smaller firms detour to local roads. Larger fleets will absorb tolls for efficiency.
My experience in the trucking industry states that the large fleets will not absorb the tolls for efficiency. Large companies may do to Illinois what Swift Transportation has announced the will be doing routes in New York City. There are enough routes around Illinois to be able to stay out.
I already have been seeing heavy traffic on US 30 between Dixon Illinois and Chicago in lieu of taking Interstate 88. Not just small carriers, but also larger carriers.
Chicago and Illinois will not become solvent until politicians get a financial brain. Would it not be nice for the Democrats to be replaced by non Democrats. After all, Chicago has not seen a republican or independent may or in my lifetime. There have been some Republican governors, but the Springfield Congress controls what goes to the governor for signature and with a minor exception that has been Democrats.
Illinois is going to continue to lose people. Retirement decisions will be to leave.