Taxi drivers stage slowdown in Chicago

CHICAGO -- Chicago taxi drivers are staging a slowdown to press their demand for a fare hike and the regulation of ridesharing operations in Illinois.

There were few taxis at Midway Airport on Thursday. United Taxi Drivers Community Council Fayez Khozindar is wishing "good luck" to people attempting to grab a cab Friday in the city or its airports.

Department of Aviation spokeswoman Karen Pride said the city hasn't been notified of any slowdown. She said taxis continue to be dispatched at O'Hare and Midway airports.

Gov. Pat Quinn in August vetoed legislation that would have regulated services provided by drivers who use personal vehicles to provide transportation to the public. Customers use their smartphones to order rides offered through companies such as Uber X, Lyft and Sidecar.

The legislation would have subjected ride-sharing operations in Illinois to the same licensing, insurance and inspection requirements as taxicabs.

Lyft officials said the legislation was designed to protect entrenched industries and maintain the status quo and "would have stifled innovation and reduced consumer choice."

Khozindar said in addition to rideshare regulation, taxi drivers want a "living wage" and a fare increase from the city of Chicago. He didn't say how many of the city's 7,000 taxicabs would be idled by a slowdown Friday.