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SUBSTITUTE TO ITEM NO. 17-4704
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
SPONSORED BY: COMMISSIONER SEAN M. MORRISON
CO-SPONSORED BY: COMMISSIONERS RICHARD BOYKIN, JOHN A. FRITCHEY, TIMOTHY O. SCHNEIDER, JEFFERY R. TOBOLSKI, PETER N. SILVESTRI, BRIDGET GAINER, GREGG GOSLIN, JOHN P. DALEY, JESUS G. GARCIA, STANLEY MOORE AND DENNIS DEER
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REPEAL THE COOK COUNTY SWEETENED BEVERAGE TAX
WHEREAS, the Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance was approved and adopted on November 10, 2016; and
WHEREAS, it has becoming increasingly clear that this is a regressive tax which will cause immediate and irrevocable hardship to businesses in Cook County and put those businesses in competitive disadvantage to businesses nearby; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Census Bureau has reported that from July of 2015 to June of 2016 Cook County has lost more population than any other county in the entire United States; and
WHEREAS, it has been widely reported that one of the main reasons businesses and residents are moving out of Cook County is excessive tax regulations; and
WHEREAS, a lawsuit has been filed questioning the constitutionality of this ordinance and Cook County may again be forced to spend huge sums to defend a potentially unconstitutional ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Crain's has reported that a recent poll conducted by a credible organization shows that 87 percent of Cook County residents are not in favor of the sweetened beverage tax; and
WHEREAS, although this regressive tax has only been in effect a short time, it appears that many consumers are crossing county borders to purchase items being taxed and are also buying others items leading to an ultimate loss of tax dollars to our neighboring counties and states; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens and businesses of Cook County that this regressive tax ordinance be repealed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioner that Chapter 74 Taxation, Article XXII Sweetened Be...
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