The assessor finally backed down and rescinded the tax hike that threatened to destroy our small businesses. I am incredibly relieved that our homes and livelihoods are safe because we refused to be ignored. Thank you for staying by my side while we fought to keep these doors open.
October 24, 2015
Final supporters
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, without legislative changes, imposed a property tax class change on 23 Cook County Bed and Breakfasts from a 10% to a 25% tax rate with less than a full year's notice.
After numerous letters and requests, he has not changed his position even though:
1. He is not enacting this class change equally to any other non-hotel "vacation rental" properties. He is excluding licensed Vacation Rentals, unlicensed B&Bs, including thousands of Airbnb owners.
2. B&B owners, Chambers of Commerce, Aldermen and other lodging professionals have requested that any class change be within the 10% level comparable to other income-producing properties as Single Room Occupancy Hotels, rental properties with 10 units or less, or similar mixed use residential/commercial use properties (restaurant on first floor with apartments above it).
If this change is not rescinded permanently the licensed Bed and Breakfasts in Cook County will be forced to close by year's end. These are all small business owners, mostly minorities: individuals or couples, who offer personalized service in Chicago's neighborhoods to accommodate out-of-town family or friends.
Help us save the remaining 23 B&BS in Cook County - Tell Joe Berrios "NO" to this tax class change. Our next meeting with the Assessor's staff is on September 28th, please forward this petition to others.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 4, 2015
August 24, 2015
Seeing the count hit one hundred signatures feels surreal because these inns are my livelihood and my home. Knowing that others see the unfairness of this tax hike brings me so much relief.
Reached 100 supporters
August 23, 2015
August 21, 2015
We are approaching one hundred signatures and hitting that mark will prove to the Assessor that our community refuses to be ignored. Please get this link in front of your neighbors tonight so we can walk into our meeting with undeniable pressure behind us.
166 Comments
Mr. Berrios, You must stop and consider the facts. Hurting these small businesses with this unfair tax burden is NOT the right thing to do. They are residential/ commercial properties and should NOT be paying the same as hotels. This is outrageous and the press needs to get involved.
This policy will do nothing to close the budget deficit and unfairly targets the destruction of small businesses which further hinders closing our budget gaps. Very short-sighted policy that fails to stimulate local business.
We have been staying at licensed B&b's in Chicago for the last 5 years to be near family when we visit. They provide a great service as as well as a wonderful alternative to downtown hotels. The proposed tax increase (bracket) needs to be revisited!
Let me get this straight, 23 small business B&B's will effectively by put out of business by a 25% tax....yet this is your proposal?? This is politics at its worst. Get a good night sleep and clear your head. This is a BAD idea.
Hi Joe. Please do not apply this inequitable tax to B&Bs. We do not stay in hotels, and would not have visited Chicago at all if we had not been able to find a lovely B&B like the Two Urns (stayed 3 nights 9-12 August 2015.
Unfair tax hike. hey berrios, what are you doing?
Clearly an attempt at snuffing out small businesses in favor of hotel giants.
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The assessor finally backed down and rescinded the tax hike that threatened to destroy our small businesses. I am incredibly relieved that our homes and livelihoods are safe because we refused to be ignored. Thank you for staying by my side while we fought to keep these doors open.
October 24, 2015
Final supporters
Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, without legislative changes, imposed a property tax class change on 23 Cook County Bed and Breakfasts from a 10% to a 25% tax rate with less than a full year's notice.
After numerous letters and requests, he has not changed his position even though:
1. He is not enacting this class change equally to any other non-hotel "vacation rental" properties. He is excluding licensed Vacation Rentals, unlicensed B&Bs, including thousands of Airbnb owners.
2. B&B owners, Chambers of Commerce, Aldermen and other lodging professionals have requested that any class change be within the 10% level comparable to other income-producing properties as Single Room Occupancy Hotels, rental properties with 10 units or less, or similar mixed use residential/commercial use properties (restaurant on first floor with apartments above it).
If this change is not rescinded permanently the licensed Bed and Breakfasts in Cook County will be forced to close by year's end. These are all small business owners, mostly minorities: individuals or couples, who offer personalized service in Chicago's neighborhoods to accommodate out-of-town family or friends.
Help us save the remaining 23 B&BS in Cook County - Tell Joe Berrios "NO" to this tax class change. Our next meeting with the Assessor's staff is on September 28th, please forward this petition to others.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 4, 2015
August 24, 2015
Seeing the count hit one hundred signatures feels surreal because these inns are my livelihood and my home. Knowing that others see the unfairness of this tax hike brings me so much relief.
Reached 100 supporters
August 23, 2015
August 21, 2015
We are approaching one hundred signatures and hitting that mark will prove to the Assessor that our community refuses to be ignored. Please get this link in front of your neighbors tonight so we can walk into our meeting with undeniable pressure behind us.
166 Comments
B&Bs are completely different than hotels, and should not be taxed as if they are the same. They are humble, home based businesses, with no corporate backing and smaller profit margins...most are in it for the love of gracious hosting rather than for the money!!
Mr. Berrios, You must stop and consider the facts. Hurting these small businesses with this unfair tax burden is NOT the right thing to do. They are residential/ commercial properties and should NOT be paying the same as hotels. This is outrageous and the press needs to get involved.
This policy will do nothing to close the budget deficit and unfairly targets the destruction of small businesses which further hinders closing our budget gaps. Very short-sighted policy that fails to stimulate local business.
We have been staying at licensed B&b's in Chicago for the last 5 years to be near family when we visit. They provide a great service as as well as a wonderful alternative to downtown hotels. The proposed tax increase (bracket) needs to be revisited!
Let me get this straight, 23 small business B&B's will effectively by put out of business by a 25% tax....yet this is your proposal?? This is politics at its worst. Get a good night sleep and clear your head. This is a BAD idea.
Hi Joe. Please do not apply this inequitable tax to B&Bs. We do not stay in hotels, and would not have visited Chicago at all if we had not been able to find a lovely B&B like the Two Urns (stayed 3 nights 9-12 August 2015.
Unfair tax hike. hey berrios, what are you doing?
Clearly an attempt at snuffing out small businesses in favor of hotel giants.
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B&Bs are completely different than hotels, and should not be taxed as if they are the same. They are humble, home based businesses, with no corporate backing and smaller profit margins...most are in it for the love of gracious hosting rather than for the money!!