Heartland Institute Experts React to Chicago Passing New Regulations on
Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb
The Chicago City Council yesterday passed new regulations on peer-to-peer services including ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft, and short-term rental company Airbnb. Under the new regulations, Uber and Lyft drivers will need a chauffeur’s license and be subjected to vehicle inspections. Airbnb services will now face increased taxes and fees, including a 17.4 percent hotel tax.
The following statements from policy experts at The Heartland Institute – a free-market think tank – may be used for attribution. For more comments, refer to the contact information below. To book a Heartland guest on your program, please contact New Media Specialist Donald Kendal at [email protected] and 312/377-4000.
“The Chicago City Council’s approval of increased regulations on peer-to-peer economy services such as Airbnb and Uber are a loss for consumers and a win for entrenched, well-connected lobbyist groups, including the owners of taxicab companies and hotel chains.
“By increasing the regulatory burdens and costs for everyday people to capture value from an otherwise idle car or an empty room in their home, Chicago lawmakers are stifling the innovation and growth of one of the fastest-growing parts of the modern economy.”
Jesse Hathaway
Managing Editor, Budget & Tax News
Research Fellow, The Heartland Institute
[email protected]
312/377-4000
“Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have opened up new transportation options that are reliable, safe, and affordable and that serve areas of Chicago many cab companies often refuse to serve. Instead of increasing regulations on the rideshare industry, the Chicago City Council should remove the unnecessary regulations from traditional taxicab services that make them less competitive.”
Matthew Glans
Senior Policy Analyst
The Heartland Institute
[email protected]
312/377-4000
“The City of Chicago’s decision to pass regulations against ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft is just further proof many city officials care more about lobbyists than they do their own constituents. “Ridesharing services are wildly popular for a reason: They are efficient, effective, and cheap. By forcing Uber, Lyft, and other services to comply with regulations that will provide no benefits for consumers, Chicago is choosing to unnecessarily drive up costs. These regulations aren’t about safety, they are all about power and keeping millionaire taxi company owners happy at the expense of everyday Chicagoans.
“The City Council’s regulations, which were watered-down in a last-minute attempt to keep ridesharing businesses from leaving, could have been much worse for Uber and Lyft, but unnecessary costs are still going to be imposed that will harm consumers.”
Justin Haskins
Executive Editor
The Heartland Institute
[email protected]
312/377-4000
The Heartland Institute is a 32-year-old national nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Its mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. For more information, visit our Web site or call 312/377-4000.
Jesse Hathaway is a policy advisor for budget and tax issues at The Heartland Institute.
Matthew Glans joined the staff of The Heartland Institute in November 2007 as legislative specialist for insurance and finance.
Justin Haskins is the director of the Socialism Research Center and editorial director at The Heartland Institute.
