Like a bad horror movie, the scary monster you thought was dead, comes back to life at the end of film. Welcome to Illinois, where the huge beverage tax may be coming back sooner, rather than later.

Illinois lawmakers in the Illinois State Senate have a revived a  'once dead' measure add a large tax to sweetened beverages, soda and energy drinks.

Back in July, we reported on a measure before state lawmakers to add a one cent tax per ounce to soft drinks sold in Illinois.

Here's how the tax would add up:

  • Each 12 oz can of soda and energy drinks would be taxed at a rate 12 cents
  • A 12 pack of soda would be taxed $1.44
  • A 24 pack of Soda would be taxed $2.88

That means if you purchase a 24 can case of Pepsi will end up costing you $9.36, up from $5.99. Many stores set their prices at $6.99 for a case of soda, so now with taxes added on you will pay over $10.00. These taxes would be added onto the sales tax you already pay for these beverages.

The tax would also apply to fountain drinks you get at a restaurant and bars. Flavored water, juice  and tea would also be taxed.

Here's the irony, individuals who use the Link card would not have to pay the tax.

So how do your local State Senators view the new proposal:

Soft Drink Sticker Shock Is Coming to Illinois
Sen Syverson / ILGA.GOV Photo
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1. Sen Dave Syverson (R) of Rockford is against the measure. Sen Syverson said:

I have always opposed this tax in the past. The current plan being worked on in the Senate is very complex and has a lot of moving parts. It is 13 bills made up of very positive things that will help (Illinois move forward but also some negative things which I don't believe will help (Illinois move forward. Unlike Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri that have Republican Legislature we have a heavily control Democratic legislature. That means we have to find compromise with the Democrats if we're going to pass crucial jobs reform legislation. I do not know what the final package will look like and which of the bills I would look to support until we see the final version then I have to weigh the what we get versus what we give up to see on the scale of things if it is good. Unfortunately doing nothing is not an option as their state continues to go deeper in debt and we continue to lose employers.

Sen Syverson can be contacted here

Soft Drink Sticker Shock Is Coming to Illinois
Sen Bivens / ILGA.gov photo
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2. Sen Tim Bivens (R) of Dixon is against the measure. Mr Bivens, in an e-mail to me, said:

As it stands Mark I am a no on the tax increases, gambling.  yes on work comp reform. The budget has to be balanced and there will have to cuts presented and personally I would like to see a moratorium on any new appropriations or programs for at least the duration of the budget.

Sen Bivens can be contacted HERE.

Soft Drink Sticker Shock Is Coming to Illinois
Sen Stadelman /ILGA.gov photo
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3. Sen Steve Stadelman (D) of Rockford. His position is not known. When the measure was up for consideration last summer, Mr Stadelman was against the measure. Stadelman's spokesman, Mark Bonne said that the Senator is "not inclined" to support the soda tax increase, however,  Bonne notes that the soda tax is a part of a larger budget package before the general Assembly and Sen Stademan's position is not final.

Sen Stademan can be contacted at: Stadelman@senatedem.ilga.gov

Soft Drink Sticker Shock Is Coming to Illinois
Sen Althoff /ILGA.Gov photo
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4. Sen Pamela Althoff (R) of McHenry. Her position is unknown. I have made several attempts to contact Ms Altholf, but Altholf's office refuses to respond. It should be noted that Ms Altholf sits on the revenue committee. The Committee is scheduled to hear arguments for the tax increase on Jan 24th at 3:00pm.

Sen. Altholf can be reached HERE

A listing of all the beverages that will be subject to the tax in very long, you can view teh list HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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