Commissioner Sean Morrison led in the repeal effort
CHICAGO - Two months after launching an effort to repeal Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's controversial soda tax, Commissioner Sean Morrison and 14 other board members rejected the measure, which would end the tax December 1st.
“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,” Morrison said at a press conference at the Cook County Building.
A poll released earlier that week showed 87% of Cook County residents were upset about the new one cent per ounce sugary drink tax, making a 2 liter bottle of soda pop cost 68 cents more.
The outrage spread throughout the suburbs. Cook County shoppers complained to State Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) (no relation to the commissioner).
“The public outcry against this tax began the day it was approved and only grew in intensity. Taxpayers are tired of continually being asked to pay more taxes and today their voices were heard," Rep. Morrison said in a statement.
“I recently surveyed my constituents in the 54th Legislative House District, and of the 269 individuals who responded to the survey, all but two expressed their strong opposition to the Cook County sweetened beverage tax. It was a clear indication that taxpayers are tired of tax increases. They want us to fix our fiscal problems without raising additional taxes.
Morrison said once that tax was implemented, people didn’t just shop for their soda and other sweetened beverages in other counties, they took all of their shopping money to other counties.
"Sales tax revenue that would have traditionally come to Cook County through the regular purchase of groceries and other items was being sent to surrounding counties," he said. "The tax was a failure on many levels.”
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Retail Merchants agreed with the commissioner and state lawmaker.
"The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce applauds the vote today by the Commissioners to repeal the sweetened beverage tax. Chicagoland businesses and consumers have faced a cumulative impact of new taxes, fees and regulations which have taken its toll. This was the tipping point. We are committed to working with the county towards policies that create jobs, opportunity and revenue for the county,” said Michael Reever, acting president & CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
“This is great news for consumers and retailers throughout Cook County. Since its inception, this tax was poorly devised, placed an enormous operational and financial burden on retailers and saddled consumers with the responsibility to pick up the tab. We thank Commissioners Morrison and Boykin for leading the charge for repeal and all of the County Board members that have signed on to the repeal,” said Rob Karr, president & CEO, IRMA.
