Cook County Board Presidents Proposes $5.3B Budget Based On Beverage Tax

Cook County Board Presidents Proposes $5.3B Budget Based On Beverage Tax

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Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is proposing a $5.3 billion budget for next year. But some of it hinges on revenue from the controversial sweetened-beverage tax. 

Preckwinkle says some vital services could go away if Commissioners vote to repeal the penny-per-ounce sweetened-beverage tax next week. Her budget counts on $200 million from the tax. 

The future of the tax uncertain since Democratic commissioner John Daley, a one-time supporter of the tax, says he will vote to repeal the tax next week. Preckwinkle says if that happens, the county will be forced to cut the budget by 11 percent.