The Cook County Board of Commissioners plans to consider a vote on a repeal today. This vote could ultimately defeat the soda tax.

To repeal the tax, nine commissioners must vote in favor. If Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle vetoes a repeal, 11 commissioners would need to vote in favor for an override.

Chicago residents face up to five different taxes on soda alone, on top of at least 30 other taxes and fees. So it’s not surprising that nearly 90 percent of Cook County residents disapprove of the tax.

Preckwinkle initially framed the soda tax as an initiative to improve public health by deterring soda consumption. She made her true position clear last week when she said the tax has always been about raising revenue to fund services – and that’s not surprising, given that the county’s pension shortfall is $7.2 billion. Cook County nearly tripled the contributions to its pension fund between 2015 and 2017, costing taxpayers an extra $360 million this year alone.

Chris Lentino, manager of Chicago outreach at the Illinois Policy Institute, and Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy, are available to weigh in on why a vote to repeal is the right choice for taxpayers.

For bookings or interviews, contact: Melanie Krakauer, media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977