| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2017 | CONTACT Christopher Provenzano 312-603-4215 (O) 312-804-8434 (M) christopher.provenzano@cookcountyil.gov |
Cook County Board Votes Overwhelmingly to Repeal Sweetened Beverage Tax
Chicago, IL – After weeks of debate, the Cook County Board of Commissioners’ Finance Committee voted overwhelmingly today 15-1 to support Commissioner Morrison’s ordinance to repeal the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax. (Please note: The Finance Committee is a Committee of the Whole.)
“I am pleased with today’s outcome. I would like to thank my colleagues for working together so diligently and amicably to come to an agreement on such an important issue to our constituents and to Cook County,” stated Commissioner Morrison.
The agreement reached on the substitute amendment will allow for Cook County government to close out the final seven weeks of its fiscal year with the tax in place. This will then provide a clean slate for the Cook County Board to begin its 2018 Cook County Budget Process in the coming weeks.
Commissioner Morrison also thanked the thousands of Cook County constituents, the hundreds of businesses, and the dozens of municipalities who contacted his office to express their concern and opposition to this tax. They represent, in his words, “the foundation of our great county.”
Commissioner Morrison added, “It has not been an easy task, but in the end, we have reached an agreement that addresses the concerns of our constituents and sets forth a goal to chart a new fiscal course for Cook County.”
Commissioner Morrison made it clear that he is firmly committed to working in a bipartisan and constructive manner with all of his board colleagues, President Preckwinkle and her administration to take the necessary steps to find the appropriate fiscal solutions to create a balanced and responsible 2018 Budget for Cook County.
Another vote by the board on the repeal ordinance will take place at the Cook County Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 11, which will be followed by the 2018 Cook County Budget Process begins on October 23 and typically lasts approximately four weeks.
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