Chicago is My Home

01
Jul

Chicago Sales Tax Spikes; 10.25 Percent Tax Highest in Any Major U.S. City

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business

CHICAGO – Previously at 0.75 percent for Chicagoans, the Cook County sales tax will jump to 1.75 percent on Tuesday as an increase voted by the county board takes effect.

Combined with the state sales tax and the city sales tax, consumers in Chicago will pay 10.25 percent tax on some items. This is the highest for any metropolitan area in the country. The tax increase will apply to purchases of clothes, furniture, alcohol and restaurant food. It does not apply to cars, boats, groceries or medicine.

Sales taxes vary from county to county. Shoppers in Schaumburg, Ill. and Skokie, Ill. pay 10 percent while shoppers in Orland Park, Ill. pay 9.75 percent. The Cook County board voted to increase the sales tax after its president (Todd Stroger) called for increased funding to cover a $3 billion deficit in the county budget.

By Megan O’Neil