UPDATE
Cab fares will increase in 2009, the first price hike in four years, a top mayoral aide told the Sun-Times Wednesday.
"We have given taxi drivers a fare increase every four years. We are working toward a fare increase in 2009," [Consumer Services Commissioner Norma] Reyes said, noting that the City Council raised cab fares by 11.7 percent in the spring of 2005.
Reyes said the drivers' threatened strike was not the reason for the increase.
"I don't think a strike will help their case. For every action, there's a reaction," Reyes said. "People who need to get around will figure out how to get around--and they may not come back to using taxis."
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From the Chicago Tribune:
A group of Chicago taxi drivers is poised to petition City Hall for a 16 percent fare increase.
The recent dollar-per-ride surcharge has meant reduced tips for drivers, said Prateek Sampat, spokesman for the United Taxidrivers Community Council.
The group plans to present its petitions to city officials Wednesday.
"The surcharge is not even close to covering the needs of drivers," Sampat said. "It's not just (the increase in) gas prices. The general cost of living is going up, for things like food."