Preckwinkle introduces Cook Co. hotel tax proposal

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hotel owners and employees are speaking out against plans to levy a one-percent tax in Cook County.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is proposing the hotel tax to replace the amusement tax. It would raise the hotel tax in the city of Chicago to 17.4 - percent total. Preckwinkle formally introduced the proposal during a special Cook County Board meeting Monday.

"If you want the visitor industry to continue to grow and meet and beat competitors from other states, raising the hotel tax is not the best answer. Cook County cannot afford to lose visitors. The working men and women who staff our hotels, restaurants, museums, retail and attractions need those visitors to keep coming to the city," Michael Hooper, Hilton Chicago, said.

Preckwinkle said she has enough votes from the Cook County Board to get the hotel tax passed.