Celebrating sugar after pop tax repeal
Friday, Dec 1, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Media advisory…
The Cook County sweetened beverage tax has officially been lifted. A few commissioners are literally raising glasses to celebrate. Jewel-Osco is even using the end of the tax as an irresponsible sales ploy. Drink up, everyone! Sugar is cheap. And so is your health.
Is this really the right message for children and families in a county and state suffering from obesity-related illnesses and the associated costs — both physical and financial?
The Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity (IAPO) is taking this opportunity to spread a healthier message.
IAPO and its partners are kicking off a weeklong campaign — #RethinkYourDrinkIL — calling on Illinois residents to reconsider the drink choices they make every day.
* From a couple of links that were included in the advisory…
Yuck.
* Meanwhile…
There’s a delay until at least Tuesday in Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans’ lawsuit against County Board President Toni Preckwinkle over layoffs in the new budget.
A Lake County judge on Friday agreed to delay arguments in the case until 11 a.m. Tuesday after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s lawyers said they needed time to hire outside counsel because the office has a conflict of interest.
Attorneys declined to detail the conflict after the hearing at the Richard J. Daley Center, but Foxx spokesman Robert Foley later said the reason was because “the state’s attorney’s office represents the office of the chief judge in multiple cases pending litigation.” Lawyers for Attorney General Lisa Madigan, whose office is representing the chief judge, agreed to the delay.
In allowing the continuance, Lake County Judge Mitchell L. Hoffman urged both sides to engage in negotiations before Tuesday’s hearing, saying the Illinois Supreme Court has made it “very clear” in the past that it prefers not to see such lawsuits filed between separate branches of government – in this case the judiciary and legislative.
“This type of litigation should be a last resort,” said Hoffman, who was brought in from outside Cook County for the hearing.
- City Zen - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
That podium palmer sure doesn’t look happy the tax is gone. Perhaps he needs a Red Bull.
- Anon221 - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
The Fruits and Vegetables sign makes for a very ironic celebration venue. Subliminal messaging???
- Saluki - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
So much hyperventilating about sugar….but let’s be sure to make marijuana smoke legal…the bizarre age we live in is really something to watch.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
Today is the day the Tribune Editorial Boards tests the limits of human consumption of sugary soft drinks.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
Sweet.
- Davita - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:56 pm:
I own stock in the parent company for DaVita Dialysis and just want to say that business is getter better and better every year.
- Father Ted - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
I don’t have a problem with the Jewel ad. It’s informing customers. There are no sale prices or coupons attached to it. Cook County stores- particularly ones near the county border- were probably losing a lot of money to customers taking their business to other stores across county lines.
- Ron - Friday, Dec 1, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
Ok, let’s get rid of Toni now.