D’Amico Calls for New Law Repealing Cook County Soda Tax

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As Cook County’s new beverage tax adds to the burden of middle-class families, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is battling to repeal the unfair tax on sodas, fruit juices and sport drinks.

“Too many in government have forgotten how taxing groceries burdens middle-class families,” said D’Amico. “It’s the middle class that buys the most sodas, fruit juices, and everyday purchases, and now some families will be forced to pay significantly more for the same products.”

The D’Amico-backed House Bill 4083 would eliminate Cook County’s “penny-per-ounce” tax on any non-alcoholic beverage that’s either sugar- or artificially sweetened. Cook County’s tax includes ready-to-drink sweetened coffees and teas, soda and diet soda, sports and energy drinks among other beverages are included across different forms of distribution such as from a fountain, bottle or can. D’Amico’s bill would not only repeal the Cook County tax, it would also prohibit any unit of government in Illinois from imposing such a tax.

The new beverage tax raises the average cost of a 2-liter soda by 68 percent, a normal jug of orange juice by 24 percent, an eight-pack of sport drinks by 40 percent and a half gallon of chocolate milk by 21 percent.

“We should be closing corporate tax loopholes and making the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share, not increasing taxes on colas,” D’Amico continued. “Repealing Cook County’s beverage tax and preventing more local bureaucrats from implementing taxing beverages makes our community a better places for families and businesses.”