Illinois lawmakers look into taxing sugary beverages
Posted January 19, 2017 6:00 am
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers may be including a proposal to tax sugary drinks in the state budget.
The State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/2iXHVnb ) reports Senate Bill 9 would tax any drink that has five grams of sugar or more. Under the bill, distributors would be required to impose a penny-per-ounce tax on retailers. The tax would produce an estimated $560 million for state.
Those in favor of the tax on sugary beverages believe it would be a responsible revenue generator. People opposing the bill say it could have a negative effect on the industry and its employees.
When asked about the tax, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner declined to comment.
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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com