Congratulations you have the highest sales tax in the USA

The Cook County Board had an opportunity to override the Board President's veto of a sales tax reduction. Of course the Board voted to sustain the veto and so Cook County, Illinois continues with the highest sales tax in the nation. The sales tax rate in the City of Chicago is 10.25% but there are also add on rates for Chicago. Dining in a downtown Chicago restaurant is subject to a 11.50% sales tax.

Some of the comments by the County Board members would be funny if taxpayers money were not involved:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0520edit1may20,0,1895904.story

"The sales tax applies to things that most poor people don't buy." -- Cook County Commissioner Joseph Mario Moreno, arguing that sales taxes really aren't regressive

"I would like to go home for once in my life and relax."
-- Commissioner Earlean Collins, accepting that her support of a county sales-tax increase may push voters to oust her from office

"We don't have any businesses in my district to leave."
-- Commissioner Deborah Sims, challenging the notion that high taxation is driving businesses -- and jobs -- out of Cook County

During the vote of the County Board a large rally was held outside the Cook County office building. The rally was organized by public employee unions. They cheered wildly when the veto was upheld preventing the reduction in the sales tax. This rally was held during normal working hours so most taxpayers were at work and could not stage a counter rally.