Proposal would tax athletic shoes 25 cents
SPRINGFIELD — New athletic shoes could cost 25 cents more in Illinois.
State Rep. Will Davis from the Chicago suburb of Hazel Crest wants the new tax to pay for a youth job preparation program. Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the Democratic lawmaker wants to raise about $3 million and most consumers wouldn't notice it. The 25 cents per pair of athletic shoes would go to the state's YouthBuild programs.
Davis says he sees it “as a uniquely creative way of helping youth.”
There is opposition to the plan. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association says it will fight the proposal because it creates paperwork for store owners.
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