Jones Fighting to Repeal Cook County Beverage Tax

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is backing an effort to repeal Cook County’s unfair beverage tax, which hits working families and elderly residents hardest.

“Many middle-class families I have spoken to are worried how this new beverage tax will impact their families’ finances,” Jones said. “I am taking action to eliminate this unfair tax by supporting legislation to repeal the tax and permanently prevent local governments throughout Illinois from increasing taxes on beverages.”

Earlier this month, the Cook County beverage tax took effect and taxes all sweetened beverages including fruit and vegetable juices, certain coffees and teas, flavored waters and sports drinks at the rate of one cent per ounce. Jones believes this is an unfair tax pushed through by Cook County and Chicago politicians. The county’s tax raises the average cost of a 2-liter soda by 67 percent, and raises the average cost of a bottle of fruit juice or iced tea by 43 percent.

Jones’s House Bill 4083 would eliminates Cook County’s “penny-per-ounce” tax on beverages. His measure would also prohibit any local government in Illinois from implementing such taxes in the future. Jones is encouraging residents to add their name to his petition to repeal Cook County’s beverage tax by calling his office at 708-933-6018, or by email at repjones.jones@gmail.com.

“I also fear that this new tax will hurt our local economy by forcing consumers to shop outside of the county and state,” Jones said. “I am encouraging area residents to sign my petition to permanently repeal the Cook County beverage tax.”