Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed fare hike for Chicago taxi industry stalls in committee

A proposal by Mayor Brandon Johson to increase taxi fares during certain times of day in Chicago stalled on Thursday, when a key City Council committee called off plans to debate the measure.

The City Council License Committee was scheduled to vote on the measure on Thursday, but without an explanation the proposal was held up without a debate or vote.

Under the mayor's proposal, the first 1/9th of a mile of any trip, also known as the "flag pull," would stay at $3.25, but each additional 1/9th of a mile would go up from 25 cents to 31 cents. Another 31 cents would be added for each 45 seconds instead of 20 cents for every 36 seconds.

A $2.50 rush hour fee would be added for rides between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a $1 overnight fee would be charged for rides between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

The flat charge for a ride from cab stands at O'Hare International Airport to downtown (defined as an area bounded by Cermak Road, Fullerton Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and Lake Michigan) or to McCormick Place would go from $24 to $30 per person. The charge for a ride from cab stands at Midway International Airport to downtown or to McCormick Place would go from $18 to $22 per person. The cost of a ride between the two airports would go from $37 to $45 per person.

The last time taxi rates increased was in 2016.

Published reports noted that the taxi industry has been battered by competition from rideshares, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Johnson introduced the taxi fare hike proposal back in September 2025, according to published reports.