Springfield, IL … State Representative Suzanne “Suzie” Bassi (R-Palatine) urges Speaker Madigan to allow two key pieces of legislation that would overturn last year’s Cook County sales tax hike to be voted on the House floor.
“I am thrilled these bills passed the Executive Committee and I urge Speaker Madigan to allow a vote on the floor. I remain hopeful that the General Assembly can right the wrong made by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger. Cook County taxpayers deserve a fiscally responsible government, not a county board that raises taxes on the sly at midnight before a budget deadline,” said Bassi.
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The Executive Committee recently passed House Bill 3948, sponsored by Bassi, which would roll back the current Cook County home rule sales tax by 1.0 percent within 30 days – the rate it was before the tax hike. The bill would also require any future proposed increases to be approved by popular referendum.
The committee also passed House Bill 3936, supported by Bassi, that requires a three-fifths supermajority vote for any tax or fee increases by Cook County. A 60-percent vote requirement of the Cook County Board of Commissioners would require 11 members of the current total 17 members to vote and approve the proposal to increase a tax or fee. Currently only nine members are needed.
Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (R-9th District) introduced a super-majority vote requirement ordinance for tax increases in 2007, however, the bill stalled in committee.
In February 2008, the Cook County Board approved a measure that more than doubled the county sales tax from 0.75 percent to 1.75 percent. Since then, Chicago has held the title of the single highest sales tax in the nation at 10.25 percent. Comparatively, New York City and Los Angeles are both below 8.5 percent. The tax effect took effect July 1.
