Chicago Increases Hotel Taxes Amid Tourism Push

Just when things in Chicago seemed like they couldn’t get any more bizarre, a new development has surfaced. The city is set to raise hotel taxes in an effort to boost tourism.

Ordinance 2026-0022544 aims to take hotel taxes from 17.5% to 19%, with the extra funds directed toward Choose Chicago, which is responsible for tourism marketing initiatives.

Interestingly, a key objective for Choose Chicago is to bring the 2028 Democratic National Convention to the city. This means that anyone booking a hotel room in the Windy City is effectively contributing to that goal.

It’s puzzling, to say the least. Only progressive Democrats would believe that increasing costs will entice more visitors. Perhaps they think throwing in a complimentary service might make a difference.

The reality is that everyday tourists and business travelers will end up paying for campaigns aimed at attracting others—likely fellow Democrats—to the city.

It seems this initiative is less about genuine tourism and more reminiscent of past political patronage, with leaders potentially handing juicy contracts to well-connected allies.

This scenario echoes a situation that, while on a smaller scale, contributed to the downfall of former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem due to allegations of awarding lucrative advertising contracts to her associates.

Let’s face it: the individuals chosen to drive this tourism effort will likely be the same people behind political campaign ads.

This extravagant push to market Chicago isn’t really about families looking to explore the city but more about catering to convention-goers aiming for hotel loyalty points.

In major Democratic cities like Chicago, it feels like working-class families are being sidelined. High hotel taxes and other barriers are making it less appealing for families looking for a getaway. The landscape is shifting, often favoring wealthier visitors over the average family wanting to enjoy the city.

In places like Chicago and others such as San Francisco and Philadelphia, it’s unfortunate to say that visitors may encounter stark social issues, making it difficult for parents to navigate these experiences with their children.

But for those attending conventions, such challenges are easily sidestepped; they can simply call for an Uber and avoid uncomfortable sights.

Essentially, Chicago is sending a message to the average American: tourism is not for you. Instead, you should remain at home, binge-watching shows while the affluent enjoy luxuries.

This raises the question: can the Democratic leadership ever enact policies that genuinely benefit the middle class?

It often seems that the governing approach favors providing free services to lower-income groups and favors the wealthy while placing additional burdens on the dwindling middle class.

Fortunately, the Choose Chicago initiative offers taxpayer-funded perks to host conventions, all while ensuring that the tax burden remains intact.

Family road trips are an essential part of life in America, and Chicago should be a desirable destination with its rich cultural offerings. Yet, the city government seems uninterested in making it welcoming for families without political clout.

If Chicago does secure the DNC, I might just attend, dressed in a sharp suit while my work covers the extra hotel tax. But for a family trip, the financial burden would undeniably be steeper.

This reflects a broader issue with Democrats who seem to continuously leverage the hard work of everyday citizens to benefit their inner circles. Now, it seems that visiting Chicago means contributing to that cycle in some way.