A Chicago City Council committee on June 8 recommended approval of new car rental fee at O'Hare International Airport, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The $8-per-day fee would pay for a consolidated rental car center to accommodate two new runways at the airport. The City Council's Aviation Committee voted in favor of Mayor Richard Daley's proposal.
If the full City Council approves the plan June 9, the fee could be imposed by August. The new fee would go on top of a flat $2.75 fee on O'Hare rentals and an 8 percent tax.
Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino said she could seek to raise the $8 fee considerably if the cost of the rental facility ends up being higher than anticipated. The ordinance allows Andolino to raise or lower the fee if she gives 30 days' notice to the rental companies.
The city will begin discussions with car rental companies about how they want to get people from terminals to the new facility. A single bus system is one option, but Andolino said the project might include extension of the airport "people mover" rail system, which would drive up the price.