By Amanda Vinicky, IL Public Radio
Springfield, Ill. – Lawmakers in the Illinois House yesterday (Wednesday) passed legislation that will let counties levy taxes against tobacco products.
Supporters it will discourage smoking, and help county governments that are struggling financially.
Cook County already charges smokers a two-dollar tax per pack. If this measure becomes law, every other county in Illinois could do the same.
The main goal is give counties a way to collect more money without having to raise broad, property or sales taxes. It would be up to individual county boards on if they want to use their new power. The sponsor of the measure, Democrat Barbara Flynn Currie says an added benefit is that higher cigarette prices may result in fewer smokers.
But opponents say raising prices will bring in less money to counties and the state because smokers will buy their cigarettes in bordering states, like Missouri. They also say it's not the state's responsibility to bail out counties with budget problems.
The proposal now heads to the state Senate; today (Thursday) is the last day of the fall veto session.
Some of the biggest advocates of the measure have been DuPage, Lake and Will counties, which surround Cook County. The Chairman of the DuPage County Board says if the state passes the proposal, DuPage County would likely add on a $1 cigarette tax. He expects that would bring in an extra $25 million a year.