COOK COUNTY – It took Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's vote to break the tie for the county's controversial penny-an-ounce tax soda tax. And thanks to that vote, Cook County grocers say they're losing sales to neighboring counties. Some of them close to 50 percent.
Cook County store owners and the Illinois Food Merchants Association report:
- Butera's in Norridge: Lost 47% of its beverage sales
- Tony's Fresh Market: District manager reports unprecedented outrage and anger over soda tax
- Valley Produce: An 11 percent drop in grocery and beverage sales since soda tax
- Illinois Food Merchants Association: over 40 percent of Cook County stores have lost 30 percent of their beverage sales; over 15 percent have lost 40 percent or more in beverage sales
A repeal of the soda tax will be heard in the county board's finance committee next week, and Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison says the repeal will face the whole board in October. Eleven votes would be needed to override a veto by President Preckwinkle.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the tax payers are saying kiss my foot. People are sick of your freedom stealing oppression.
When the PTB play stupid games, the people win stupid prizes. Collateral damage. If it hurts enough, maybe they can lean on the Board to quit being so stupid. Better yet, maybe some people outside the Machine can run and eventually break its stranglehold on Chicago politics.
Dreaming, I know. But stranger things have happened.
They will find something else to tax….just wait. They need the money !!!! Glad I escaped this state.
Wow! What would these people do if the paid their income taxes every month instead of having the tax money withheld from them?
People are correct Preckwinkle has joined the Cullerton and Madigan families in taxing Illinois too much.
Still people from the grave are voting.
God Bless Illinois
Carl Lambrecht
They never learn. I enjoyed shopping in Lake County yesterday. Only a mile away from my home in Crook County.
What is truly egregious is that this tax includes Bloody Mary Mixers, most of which contain a small amount of fructose. Glad that the health control experts on the Cook County Bd. are vigilant in protecting me from the tiny amt. of sugar that would poison me, when mixed with 4 parts vodka.
They want to kep you alive and healthy LONGER,
so you can pay their ever-increasing taxes LONGER.