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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SPECIAL USE GASOLINE AND FUEL TAX
WHEREAS, the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6 designates Cook County as a Home Rule Unit of Government; and,
WHEREAS, Cook County may exercise powers and perform functions as they relate to government, including the authority to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare, and including taxation; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Home Rule Unit authority, this Board is empowered to make necessary changes to the Laws and Ordinances of Cook County; and,
WHEREAS, the taxation power is best employed when the revenue from the imposed taxes are used to improve health, welfare and economic outcomes for the men, women, and children that Cook County is charged with serving; and,
WHEREAS, too many of the districts and neighborhoods in Cook County suffer from high levels of poverty and unemployment, placing great strain on the budget, resources, and operations of Cook County government; and,
WHEREAS, poverty and unemployment are demonstrably linked to increased crime, gang activity, drug use, and alcoholism; and,
WHEREAS, widespread poverty contributes to widespread physical and mental health challenges, the cost of which is borne by every resident of Cook County; and,
WHEREAS, unemployment levels in certain neighborhoods of Cook County exceed 20%, leading to a host of societal consequences including violence, proliferation of the sale and use of illegal narcotics, and housing and food insecurity; and,
WHEREAS, all of the above stated consequences of unemployment strain the court system, jail, health and hospitals system, and law enforcement units operating under the auspices of Cook County government; and,
WHEREAS, the proceeds of this tax will be exclusively dedicated to the implementation of four separate and related Cook County initiatives set forth via ordinance and designed to strengthen and stabilize neighborhoods in ...
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