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* Press release…
Cook County’s penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages, often called the “soda tax,” would be repealed under legislation (SB 2238) filed by State Sen. Chapin Rose.
“Many people just ‘roll their eyes’ at Cook County’s new soda tax as more of the same from the ‘nanny state’ that is Chicago,” Rose said. “But, people need to realize that Chicago’s actions will have a direct negative impact here in Central Illinois as one of the primary ingredients in any sweetened beverage is corn. So, agriculture will take a hit under this tax that is aimed at lowering consumption. Moreover, downstate companies and industries like ADM and Tate & Lyle and the shipping sector are directly engaged in the manufacturing of these ingredients. So make no mistake, Cook County’s actions will negatively impact us.
“I previously fought my own Republican Leader, and successfully, when she and others in the legislature last spring wanted to tax sugary drinks at the statewide level. But now Cook County is imposing its own tax. Thankfully, it looks like even some Chicago Democrats have had enough, so I am filing this bill and will be encouraging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in the effort to undo Cook County’s insanity. Many Democrats have already signed onto a similar repeal in the House. Let’s give the Democrats in the Senate a chance to sign onto this bill and see if we can’t move it forward.”
The person most actively pushing a sweetened beverage tax at the state level last spring was Gov. Rauner, who isn’t mentioned above.
* Also…
Nationally, about 6 percent of corn is used for sweeteners or corn syrup. The Illinois Corn Growers Association did not take an official position on the Cook County tax, but [Tricia Braid, communications director for the Illinois Corn Growers Association] says they would oppose expanding the penny-per-ounce increase statewide. […]
Mike Doherty, senior economist with the Illinois Farm Bureau, agrees the impact now might be small, but any expansion of the tax could become a problem.
“[Corn syrup] is a component of what drives the demand for corn. So farmers do have a stake in it,” Doherty said. “The concern would be these taxes would be replicated in other large metro areas and would become a part of coast-to-coast taxation.”
Emphasis added.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:18 pm
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Doesn’t Senator Rose have a conflict of interest?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:19 pm
So it really is about lowering sweetener consumption?
Comment by walker Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:24 pm
==one of the primary ingredients in any sweetened beverage is corn==
This is the real insanity
Comment by Name/Nickname/Anon Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:24 pm
Should just be a corn tax. Then they could get bourbon and fuel, too.
And Cap’n Crunch.
Comment by Anoniphone Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:28 pm
Great, so we’ve set up an agricultural economy that is dependent on making our kids obese.
Comment by How Sweet It Is Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:28 pm
Very little corn is directly eaten by humans, most is either fed to animals or significantly processed. From what I understand humans can’t even digest a significant % of corn now grown.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:30 pm
“[Corn syrup] is a component of what drives the demand for corn. So farmers do have a stake in it.”
And just think how much the taxes and minimum age requirements burden tobacco farmers.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:32 pm
I’m concerned with Chapin Rose’s lack of self-awareness, getting all exercised (?) about SNAP, pop taxes or similar matters.
That boy is one more bisquit for breakfast from a meeting with the grim reaper.
Dude, get your own side of the street cleaned, for your own sake.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:34 pm
My favorite downstate propaganda against Chicago is still the idea that Chicago stole a bunch of state jobs from Springfield. Reminds me of that South Park episode. They took our jobs!
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:35 pm
40% of cancer is obesity related, per today’s news. I’m okay with the soda tax, but not if we are also giving out SNAP benefits to purchase the stuff.
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:35 pm
I think Rose has pushed SNAP benefits and programs from including soda? If true has Rose always been anti-farmer?
Comment by DuPage Bard Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:47 pm
Now if only Sen. Rose was as concerned about his Alma Mater.
Oops, sorry to be calling him out.
Comment by illini Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:51 pm
Senator Rose is sounding like the advocates for coal who don’t seem to care about the environment.
Comment by JackD Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 4:54 pm
I would like to see Rose’s response to a Chicago Dem filing legislation to change a locally-established tax/law in Champaign County. I’m guessing he would think that is out of order.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 5:10 pm
“From what I understand humans can’t even digest a significant % of corn now grown.”
Do you have a source for this?
Comment by Downstate Rube Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 5:23 pm
I prefer the Pepsi and Coke products made in Mexico and shipped to the US. Real sugar taste a million times better then high fructose corn syrup.
Comment by Yup Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 5:44 pm
Absolute dribble.
Comment by Skirmisher Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 5:58 pm
Chaplin Rose- State Senator, panderer, and president of the non-partisan Chicago-haters club.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 7:26 pm
The state senator sounds like a drip. But the soda tax has destroyed Toni and will be voted out as it’s utterly ridiculous.
Comment by Ron Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 7:53 pm
I thought Rose was a “local control” guy? I guess only sometimes.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Oct 3, 17 @ 8:00 pm
=Very little corn is directly eaten by humans=
It’s an ingredient in other American and Canadian products and it’s genetically engineered which, contrary to what we’ve been told, is not the same as selective breeding.
This guy sued the FDA for the truth and won -
Steven M. Druker, “Altered Genes, Twisted Truth.”
You can skip the first few minutes - really boring. But the rest is disturbing.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?432111-2/altered-genes-twisted-truth
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Wednesday, Oct 4, 17 @ 9:56 am