In 2008, the City of Chicago convinced the Illinois General Assembly to allow the City Council and the Mayor to double the 911 fee imposed on wireless consumers from $1.25 per month to $2.50 per month. This increase was billed as a way to fund security improvements to help the city secure an Olympic bid. Six years later, the Olympic bid was unsuccessful but the city’s wireless consumers continue to pay $2.50 a month, the second highest city 911 fee in the country. This is on top of the combined 14% state and city excise tax on wireless service. These taxes and fees make Chicago one of the “top ten” cities for high wireless taxes and fees on consumers.
Now, a proposal that may be considered by the Illinois General Assembly would allow the City Council to raise the fee again – to $3.50 per month on wireless consumers. This could add another $50 or more per year to the wireless bills of Chicago families, when a Chicago family with 4 lines is already paying $250 per year in taxes and fees!
Further, the proposal may also increase the rate on prepaid (pay-as-you-go) wireless consumers by nearly 30%. Considering that nearly 1 in 4 wireless consumers are prepaid consumers, this is not pocket change.
When consumers pay 911 fees, they expect the money to be spent on the 911 system, not supporting the city general fund. Please oppose this money grab.
FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO 911 FEES
Current rate — $2.50 per line per month. Second highest city 911 fee in the country
Proposed rate — $3.50 per line per month, highest in the country
Rates in other major US cities:
- Chicago — $3.50 per month (proposed)
- New York — $1.50 per month
- Los Angeles – 0.75% ($0.38 on a typical $50 monthly bill)
- Houston — $0.50 per month
- Philadelphia — $1.00 per month
- Phoenix — $0.20 per month
- San Antonio — $0.50 per month
- San Diego – 0.75% ($0.38 on a typical $50 monthly bill)
- Dallas — $0.50 per month
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