Payment Past Due

SIX PERCENT SALES TAX IS PRETTY GENEROUS,” I TOLD THE BOOKSTORE CLERK IN Detroit. “In Chicago, we pay 10.25. Tied for highest in the nation.”

“Why is it so high?” she asked.

“Well, there’s no city income tax, like there is here. So that’s how they get their money,” I responded.

Some of their money, at least — but not enough. With pension obligations piling up, Mayor Lori Lightfoot promised in her State of the City address on August 29 to “explore