I asked for two bags at the store, but the receipt showed 30 cents. I thought I misread it, but it was correct. Since January 1st of this year, the checkout bag tax in Chicago has been 15 cents per bag.

Honestly, at first, I just laughed it off. But after collecting a month's worth of receipts, I realized it wasn't something to laugh about.

So today, I've summarized the areas where our wallets are quietly leaking money due to changes in Chicago's 2026 budget: bags, Uber, and alcohol. These three are the key points.

First, let's talk about bags. This tax started at 7 cents per bag in February 2017. Then it increased to 10 cents in 2025, and in 2026, it went up again to 15 cents.

That's two consecutive years of increases. From 7 cents to 15 cents is more than double. It felt a bit outrageous.

Whether it's paper or plastic, the same tax applies. Out of the 15 cents, the store keeps 1 cent, and the remaining 14 cents goes to the city. Back when it was 7 cents, the store's share was 2 cents, so it's not exactly great for them either.

According to City Bureau reports, a household that uses about 20 bags a week spends around $156 a year just on bag fees. That's enough to buy a pair of sneakers.

From the city's perspective, it's a pretty nice source of revenue. In 2025 alone, this tax generated $24.3 million, and the estimate for 2026 is $38.1 million.

Next up are Uber and Lyft. Starting January 6, the fees for congested areas changed. For a single passenger getting in or out in a congested area, an additional $1.50 is charged.

This single-passenger fee applies every day from 6 AM to 10 PM, regardless of the day. For shared rides, an extra 60 cents is added during the same time on weekdays.

The real issue is that the area has expanded. It now includes not just downtown but also West Town, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, parts of Uptown, South Loop, and Pilsen.

A second zone has been added around Hyde Park. It feels like almost all the neighborhoods where I hang out with friends on weekends are included.

Also, the $5 surcharge for rides to O'Hare and Midway airports, as well as Navy Pier and McCormick Place, remains unchanged. This is why the fare jumps significantly when you call an Uber to the airport.

The third point is alcohol. Starting March 1, a new 1.5% tax has been added to alcohol purchased at stores. This applies to beer, wine, and spirits bought at grocery stores, liquor stores, and convenience stores.

Interestingly, alcohol consumed at bars and restaurants is not subject to this tax. So, city budget officials have warned that legal disputes could arise from this.

A 1.5% tax means about 30 cents on a $20 bottle. It doesn't seem like much for one bottle, but since it's added on top of the existing 10.25% sales tax and state excise tax, it doesn't feel great.

Additionally, the tax on cloud services and software leases has increased from 11% to 15%. While individuals may not feel this directly, it could eventually be reflected in prices somewhere.

Of course, there's some good news. As of January 1, the 1% grocery tax in Illinois has been eliminated. The state has given each city the authority to collect it again, but Chicago missed the application deadline.

So currently, grocery items in Chicago are taxed at a 0% rate. Overall, more than 600 municipalities in the state have decided to reinstate the 1% tax, so we're somewhat lucky.

But there's a catch. While the grocery tax is gone, bag fees have increased. If you forget to bring your own bags, you're essentially paying back some of the savings.

So how do you prevent this? Here are some things I've actually tried.

I keep a bag in my car and trunk. Forgetting is the most expensive mistake. If I don't use just four bags during a shopping trip, that's 60 cents saved.

For Uber, the trick is to call from just outside the congested area. Since the fee applies when you get in or out within the area, walking a block or two can save you $1.50. You can easily compare fares in the app.

There are times after 10 PM or early in the morning when the surcharge doesn't apply. For shared rides, there's no surcharge at all on weekends. If you have a flexible schedule, it's worth considering.

Honestly, the CTA is the best option for the airport. Taking the Blue Line or Orange Line means you won't have to worry about the $5 surcharge.

As for alcohol, if you're buying for a party, the 1.5% tax can't be ignored as the total amount increases. If you spend $100, that's $1.50, so it's better to plan and buy together.

I personally understand that the city's finances are tight. I get that they need to collect revenue somehow. But the way they're collecting small amounts from everyday expenses like bags, Uber, and alcohol feels very noticeable.

It seems scarier to have small leaks like this than a big increase all at once. If I were you, I'd start collecting receipts from this month to see how much is leaking. You might be surprised at how much it adds up.