Ordinance Would Put a Higher Price on Fear

Fear may mean additional funds for Morton Grove.

Monday’s village board meeting included the first reading of a proposed amusement tax ordinance, which would add a 5 percent charge to any admission fees. If approved, the ordinance would mean that the village would collect additional taxes from Fear City, a nearly 40,000-square-foot haunted house expected to open in October.

Earlier:

“The approval of Fear City spurred the amusement tax ordinance,” said village administrator Joe Wade.

Fear City will only be open in October and hopes to bring through 20,000 to 30,000 customers, who would each pay $20 to $30 for some Halloween frights. The amusement tax is projected to bring in $25,000 in general fund revenue, and would be overseen by the finance department.

The second reading of the ordinance will be at the village board of trustees meeting Sept. 12.