Springfield, IL … In response to Cook County President Todd Stroger’s sales tax hike, State Representative Suzanne “Suzie” Bassi (R-Palatine) voted yes on legislation to roll back the county sales tax and mandate a referendum be approved by voters on such increases. Unfortunately, the legislation today failed to receive the 71 votes needed to pass – 61 yes, 55 no.

“Todd Stroger’s greed has severely impacted the communities that I represent from families forced to drive across the border for cheaper goods to municipalities and other taxing bodies that are reaping less money from the sales tax,” said Bassi. “This tax hike increased the price on everyday items such as clothing, appliances and school supplies making it that much more difficult to maintain a household in these difficult economic times.”Continue reading …

Bassi co-sponsored House Bill 715 that would roll back the county sales tax to its original 0.75 percent. The legislation also mandates the maximum rate a Home Rule County can impose for sales tax at 0.75 percent. The bill would also require any future proposed increases to be approved by popular referendum.

Cook County is the only home rule county in the state and therefore does not need voter permission to raise taxes like the other 101 counties in Illinois.

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.