USA Today: Chicago Is Most Costly for Business Travelers

by Joe O’Malley It is no wonder residents of Cook County are fleeing to other states. USA Today highlights a recent study that shows just how costly it is to do business in Chicago. The study focused on the local taxes that impact business travelers, such as taxes from hotels, rental cars, and meals. It found that...

by Joe O’Malley

It is no wonder residents of Cook County are fleeing to other states.

USA Today highlights a recent study that shows just how costly it is to do business in Chicago. The study focused on the local taxes that impact business travelers, such as taxes from hotels, rental cars, and meals.

It found that the costliest business center in terms of relevant taxes was Chicago. On average, the study found that a business traveler will pay $101.27 in local taxes for a two-night stay in Chicago.

The least costly business center to do business in was Portland, Oregon. Business travelers would pay, on average, $52.49 in local taxes in a two night stay in Portland.

After this nationwide warning to businesses, it looks like the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will have its work cut out for it convincing guests that Chicago isn’t trying to pick their pockets.

Instead of creating problems for ourselves that superfluous government agencies have to fix, wouldn’t it be easier to just lower taxes?