CHICAGO, IL (Sept. 13, 2017) – The Cook County Board of Commissioners plans to consider today whether to repeal the county’s widely unpopular new sweetened beverages tax. The board’s decision – and the multimillion-dollar battle being waged by powerful out-of-state proponents of the tax – may have statewide implications.

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives have filed two bills that would ban the taxation of sweetened drinks by the ounce. Meanwhile, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is spending at least $5 million on advertisements in favor of the soda tax. Illinois residents, who already face the highest overall tax burden in the nation, are treated as targets.

Chris Lentino, manager of Chicago outreach at the Illinois Policy Institute, is available to weigh in on why local Illinois governments should be leery of imposing a soda tax, and how this policy harms taxpayers.

Background:

• In Philadelphia, a sweetened beverage tax that was implemented in January 2017 has fallen $20 million short of projected revenue.
• A plan to add a penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages gained traction in the Illinois Senate earlier this year, but ultimately failed to advance.
• Soda taxes are unpopular with residents. Nearly 90 percent of Cook County residents disapprove of the tax. Chicago residents already face up to five different taxes on soda alone.
• To repeal the Cook County 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 of repeal to override the veto.

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