Cook County Tries To Up Tax On Sugary Drinks — Retailers Say ‘Stop Right There’

In Philadelphia, New Beverage Tax Falls On Consumers
Business owners complain products pre-marked with a price confuse and anger customers since the implementation of the soda tax. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
In Philadelphia, New Beverage Tax Falls On Consumers
Business owners complain products pre-marked with a price confuse and anger customers since the implementation of the soda tax. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Cook County Tries To Up Tax On Sugary Drinks — Retailers Say ‘Stop Right There’

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In an attempt to make revenue, and help public health, Cook County is joining other cities in the effort to bump up taxes on sugary drinks. The tax is scheduled to go into effect this Saturday, but the Illinois Retail Merchants Association has filed a lawsuit on behalf of its members to halt the tax. There was a hearing on the lawsuit Wednesday.

WBEZ’s Mike Puente has been covering the beverage tax at the County Board and he joins us to break down what this would mean for consumers. Plus, a reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer how that city managed to get past a similar lawsuit to enact the tax.