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Tax rollback will benefit businesses

Government at every level is facing some of the most challenging times in recent memory. Retailers, consumers and taxpayer are feeling the pinch as well, but there remains a bright light at the end of the tunnel. For the second year in a row, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveiled her preliminary budget, which includes a rollback of the sales tax by 0.25 percent. We are very pleased to see President Preckwinkle maintain her commitment to retailers, consumers and taxpayers who need relief from high taxes.

While some continue to advocate for keeping the high sales tax to fill budget deficits, this only leads to more harm than good. Retailers in Cook County are willing to compete on price, product mix and customer service, not on things outside their control like a higher sales tax, which causes their customers to cross a county line to shop. This puts county businesses at a disadvantage and employees at risk. Government should be doing more than less — not asking taxpayers to foot the bill time and again.

I’ve seen firsthand how budget decisions impact our economy and livelihood. Cook County continues to face a budget deficit and tough decisions remain, but the leadership demonstrated by President Preckwinkle and the commissioners is encouraging. The rollback creates stability, leads to job creation and reduces the burden on taxpayers — we cannot afford a delay.

David Vite

President/CEO

Illinois Retail Merchants Association

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