Chicago plan to cap Uber, Lyft fares could lead to fewer rides

05/28/2021

A Chicago alderman wants to cap ride-share prices during peak demand. But price controls could leave more riders stranded if extra drivers are no longer attracted by extra cash.

TAGS: Chicago, regulations, rideshare, Uber

Lightfoot proposes $40M tax hike on solo Uber, Lyft rides in downtown Chicago

By Vincent Caruso

10/19/2019

The mayor proposed tripling ride-sharing taxes and fees on solo passengers downtown, on top of other increases, as the city confronts a nearly $1 billion budget deficit and a costly contract dispute with the nation’s third-largest teachers’ union.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, Lyft, rideshare, taxes, Uber

Pritzker capital plan would double Illinois gas tax, hike vehicle registration fees, create new taxes on Uber and Netflix

By Austin Berg

05/17/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office is using a major capital bill as a vehicle to grease lawmakers for a progressive income tax amendment. But the tax hikes to pay for it would make Illinoisans’ gas tax burden the second highest in the nation.

TAGS: alcohol tax, amusement tax, capital project, fair tax, gas tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, Lyft, Netflix, progressive income tax, rideshare, satellite tax, streaming tax, Uber, vehicle registration

Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors

By Eddie Damstra

06/01/2018

Lawmakers in Springfield are joining forces with Hertz and Enterprise in efforts to punish companies offering innovative alternatives to conventional car rental options.

TAGS: carsharing, Getaround, Hertz, homesharing, rideshare, taxes, Turo

Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2017

Chicago has some of the highest taxes on travelers in the nation.

TAGS: Airbnb, amusement tax, Chicago, collaborative economy, Cook County, hotel tax, Rahm Emanuel, rideshare, transportation

Chicago City Council seeks to hike ridesharing fees

By Chris Lentino

10/05/2017

One alderman with strong ties to the traditional taxicab industry has suggested raising fees on ridesharing to fill the growing budget gap.

TAGS: Anthony Beale, Chicago, collaborative economy, Lyft, regulations, rideshare, Uber

The end of Uber in Chicago? Ordinance would require fingerprinting of rideshare drivers and limit surge pricing

By Brendan Bakala

09/02/2017

The ordinance was pushed through committee by taxi industry ally Alderman Anthony Beale, 9th Ward.

TAGS: Lyft, rideshare, sharing economy, taxis, Uber

Chicago made their business illegal, now Vugo is fighting back

By Austin Berg

02/07/2017

Vugo is the type of technology startup political leaders often herald as the future of Chicago. But taxi protectionism has forced it to leave town.

TAGS: Chicago, collaborative economy, regulations, rideshare

Chicago passes new rules on Uber and Lyft

By Austin Berg

06/22/2016

The city will require rideshare drivers to complete an online course before hitting the road, and will allow ridesharing platforms such as Uber and Lyft to continue conducting their own background checks.

TAGS: Chicago, Lyft, Rahm Emanuel, regulations, rideshare, Uber

Instead of whacking Uber, Evanston looks to lift burden on taxis

By Austin Berg

06/21/2016

The city of Evanston offers a path forward for governments to level the playing field between traditional taxis and ridesharing.

TAGS: collaborative economy, Lyft, rideshare, Uber