tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404681916600925033.post1285287146384736632..comments2011-02-16T11:00:46.778-06:00Tony Cooksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12565713889808330198noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404681916600925033.post-68300195094071411432011-02-16T10:56:09.929-06:002011-02-16T10:56:09.929-06:00Who pays for Chicago fireworks? I do. I am one of those downtown workers and/or downtown dwellers who purchase prepared food and beverages in the downtown area. I along with my millions of pals are levied a 1% sales tax added to the highest sales tax in the land solely for the MPEA (Navy Pier). It bears repeating that is an additional 1% added to the sales tax. And please also understand that &quot;downtown&quot; is defined by the Il Dept. of Revenue as from I55 to Surf (which is just north of Diversey), and spans all the way west to Ashland! I had no idea downtown was that big.<br /><br />So you can thank me, or us. We are the &quot;downtown&quot; workers and &quot;downtown&quot; dwellers who consume restaurant food and bevs and pay big for fireworks 2x per week. We however need to stay away from Navy Pier because the prices are ridiculous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404681916600925033.post-36461189213930619832010-07-22T13:17:47.081-05:002010-07-22T13:17:47.081-05:00Do people actually come to the city to see the fireworks? <br /><br />Why can&#39;t MPEA take this cash and pay for some of the city services they use? Suppose the MPEA paid the CTA a fee for the bus line that goes to the pier? Why shouldn&#39;t the MPEA pay the police a fee for the protection they afford patrons? OR what about NOT having the fireworks and using the &quot;extra&quot; cash to pay off the bonds on the MPEA facilies. OR suppose they cut the car rental and hotel taxes and eliminated the fireworks?<br /><br />Bread and Circuses. Welcome to Rome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com