Jones Applauds Repeal of Cook County’s Beverage Tax

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, applauded the Cook County Board’s decision Tuesday to repeal the county’s unpopular beverage tax.

“This reckless tax had hurt families and small business owners by driving consumers out of our local economy,” Jones said. “I appreciate that the board recognized that residents were angry, and was willing to change course.”

The Cook County beverage tax, which had taken effect in August, impacted sweetened beverages, including fruit and vegetable juices, coffee, tea, flavored water and sports drinks at the rate of one cent per ounce. Since its inception, Jones held that the tax was unfair and disproportionately impacted low-income and middle-class consumers. He supported legislation which would have repealed the tax and prohibit any local government in Illinois from implementing such taxes in the future.

“Repealing the tax was a step in the right direction toward economic fairness,” Jones said. “We need to start looking at other options, like making the wealthy pay their fair share, rather than further burdening the finances of those already under stress.”