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 battle over Airbnb in Lake Bluff, Illinois

By John Kristof

07/25/2017

Lake Bluff homeowners home sharing with Airbnb were forced to cease and desist by the village zoning board.

TAGS: Airbnb, collaborative economy, homesharing, regulations, sharing economy

Marion regulates short-term rentals before eclipse

By John Kristof

07/12/2017

Effective July 20, 2017, residents wishing to host visitors in their homes between one and thirty days must apply and pay $50 for a license. The city must inspect the property and deem it up to standards.

TAGS: collaborative economy, homesharing, regulations, sharing economy

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

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

By Chris Lentino

12/27/2016

It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, food trucks, homesharing, regulations, Uber

Chicago Airbnb hosts made $73 million in 2016, despite roadblocks by Chicago City Council, hotel lobby

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2016

The Chicago market has grown to the third largest in the country, accounting for almost all of the more than $73 million in supplemental income in 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, homesharing, regulations, sharing economy

Home-sharing brings out the best in us

By Austin Berg

11/22/2016

New Airbnb regulations pose a serious problem for Chicagoans.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, regulations

Chicago aldermen propose ban on driverless cars

By Amy Korte

09/15/2016

A new ordinance would ban all cars with autonomous technology from Chicago, preventing Uber from expanding the fleet of self-driving vehicles it recently introduced in Pittsburgh.

TAGS: Chicago, collaborative economy, jobs, regulations, Uber

Fixing Illinois’ outdated workers’ compensation system

By Mark Adams

07/20/2016

Illinois’ workers’ compensation system has not evolved to meet the modern workplace, and is instead working more for special interests than employers and employees.

TAGS: collaborative economy, jobs, manufacturing, sharing economy, workers compensation