The grocery sales tax shell game
The great J.B.Pritzker shell game is in progress. Yes, on January 1, 2026 the State of Illinois with the approval of J.B. Pritzker removed the sales tax on groceries. It is listed as one of the accomplishments on his web site: https://jbpritzker.com/latest/accomplishment/lowering-costs-for-working-families/ . Pritzker now says he made food more affordable in Illinois by this change.
What was not bragged about was the legislation that Pritzker signed also allows counties and municipalities to levy a tax on groceries, one per cent in most cases. At this count, over 700 counties and municipalities approved putting the one percent sales tax back on groceries.
Why do municipalties do this? According to https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_78ee31be-6a39-11ef-97c2-cf7bc488dd72.html “We have to get every revenue we can in order to keep property taxes low and to keep the businesses we have in Milan,” Milan trustee Bruce Stickell said to KWQC TV. “Every time something gets taken away, you have to come up with another idea and how you can replace that.”
In other words, has the state of Illinois reduced municipal unfunded mandates that the local jurisdictions? No unfunded mandates have been removed. Local expenses continue to go up and local property taxes are not covering those expenses. Many local expenses are dictated by outside factors, state government. With over 700 taxing bodies opting to put the grocery tax back on, this is not a victory for Pritzker. This is a line of baloney for Pritzker. Typical bait and switch.
Details are scarce from the other two candidates. From Darren Bailey’s web site https://baileyforillinois.com/issues/ I quote: "Darren Bailey knows that hardworking families across Illinois are struggling under the weight of high taxes, rising utility bills, and skyrocketing costs of living. As governor, he will fight to lower taxes, cut wasteful government spending, and bring real fiscal responsibility back to Springfield. Darren will champion policies that put more money back in the pockets of everyday Illinoisans, support small businesses, and attract new jobs to our state. It’s time to make Illinois a place where families can afford to live, work, and thrive again.”
This is a great soundbite but what does it mean? Is mandatory removal of the sales tax a part of the equation? What are some of the examples of wasteful spending? How are rising utility bills going to be reduced? Would not electricity be less expensive with more power plants?
Independence party candidate Gary Pierce has nothing specific regarding this issue on his web site.
While Pritzker thinks he did good, it was a wash, a typical Pritzker shell game. However, if the other two candidates expect to defeat Pritzker, they need to start being detailed to create a real vision for Illinois. A state like Illinois is in the shape it is do to candidates who have been elected on the messages of soundbite politics. Don’t say you do not like the tax, but present a plan to live without the tax.
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