CHICAGO – “To the residents and businesses of Cook County, we have heard you loud and clear and so today I have filed an ordinance to repeal the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax,” said GOP Commissioner Sean Morrison at a press conference held Wednesday at the Cook County Building.
Indeed, a poll released Wednesday shows 87% of Cook County residents are upset about the new one cent per ounce sugary drink tax, making a 2 liter bottle of soda pop cost 68 cents more.
Joining Commissioner Morrison as co-sponsors of the repeal ordinance are Commissioner Richard Boykin (D-1), Commissioner John A. Fritchey (D-12), Commissioner Timothy O. Schneider (R-15), and Commissioner Jeffrey R. Tobolski (D-16).
There was equal bi-partisan support opposing this tax last year, but the tax passed by a single vote and that tie-breaking vote was cast by President Preckwinkle herself.
“The Beverage Tax is an absolute disaster for Cook County. Residents and businesses are getting punished by it. After witnessing the tremendous fallout and public backlash, I believe there are some on the board who voted to support the tax that could re-consider their original vote and support this repeal,” said Commissioner Morrison.
Commissioner Morrison believes the Beverage Tax is the wrong remedy for Cook County’s fiscal issues. He added, “There are alternative means to address those fiscal issues and we plan to present those remedies to President Preckwinkle as she prepares her 2018 budget proposal.”
The repeal ordinance will be taken up by the Cook County Board on September 13.
"I call on all residents, businesses and municipal leaders to contact your Cook County Commissioner and encourage them to vote to repeal the Beverage Tax," Morrison said. He also strongly encourages taxpayers to attend the September 13 board meeting at the Cook County Building in downtown Chicago.
The Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax has had a devastating impact on both Cook County residents and businesses since its enactment on August 2. The bipartisan coalition of commissioners sponsoring the repeal ordinance believes it’s in the best interest of the public and Cook County government to repeal this regressive tax.
The long-term damage caused by this tax to Cook County’s local economy and to its residents greatly outweigh the short-term fiscal benefit it will provide to the county budget.
