Cook County Board Restores Tax on Parking Apps Following Address from Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. and Members of the PILMC
Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. and members of the Parking Industry Labor Management Committee (PILMC) addressed the Cook County Board of Commissioners last month and advocated for the repeal of an unjust tax-break for parking app companies, such as SpotHero and ParkWhiz, which was set to go into effect on January 1st.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners previously approved a measure in October that would reduce the rate at which parking aggregator apps are taxed. While aggregators were previously charged the same 6% tax rate as parking garage operators, the new ordinance would cut this rate to 1.75%, the county sales tax. Though many parking garage operators also use apps to book parking services, this tax-break would only have applied to aggregators like SpotHero.
“This ordinance would allow aggregators to rake-in profits while contributing less to our county. It’s a fundamentally unfair tax-break that would drastically impact our hardworking members and could result in reductions to the parking industry labor force,” argued Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer Coli. “These aggregators offer parking reservations just as parking garage operators do. The same tax rate should apply for all companies that provide the same services.”
Secretary-Treasurer Coli’s remarks and the vocal support of members of the PILMC, successfully persuaded the Board to reverse its previous decision and restore the uniform 6% tax rate.
“Local 727 is thrilled that the Board of Commissioners saw sense and voted to restore the fair, across-the-board tax rate,” said Coli. “Our members work hard each and every day to provide safe parking services to the people of Chicago. This reversal evens the playing field for union operators and protects the jobs of our dedicated members.”
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or additional grievance. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: PARKING, Union News
