Emanuel’s floor leader acknowledges mounting opposition to garbage fee

By Fran Spielman – Chicago Sun-Times

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s City Council floor leader acknowledged Thursday that opposition is mounting to a suburban-style garbage collection fee — so much so that the mayor just might have to trash it.

Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th) said he’s fairly confident he’ll be able to line up the 26 votes needed to pass a $500 million property tax increase for police and fire pensions and school construction.

But the alderman said he is not at all certain about Emanuel’s plan to impose a monthly garbage collection fee of between $11 and $12 per household. That’s even though 40 percent of all Chicago households already pay for private scavengers to pick up their garbage. read more…..