The Cook County sugary drinks tax was set to go into effect July 1, but a circuit court judge has temporarily blocked the implementation of the tax in response to a lawsuit opposing it.

To address the city’s worsening financial crises, Chicago politicians turned up the dial on their usual answer to budgetary woes: raising taxes.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of new tax on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.

Implementing a taxpayer bill of rights could prevent Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle from increasing the county’s already-high tax burden.

The sales-tax hike Cook County officials approved in July takes effect Jan. 1, 2016, just in time for end-of-season holiday shopping deals.

Cook County’s new 1 percent hotel tax will raise Chicago’s combined hotel tax to 17.4 percent in 2016.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle resorted to the same tired formula that has all but bankrupted Chicago.

“Pay to play” might take on a whole new meaning in Chicago.