Chicago's Cigarette Tax Nearing New York's

As we told you last week, the county and city governments are currently wrestling with budgets and raising taxes to make up for a number of revenue shortfalls.

We thought our readers would be especially interested in the cigarette taxes. We know you're that creepy guy (or gal) sitting at the corner of the bar chain-smoking and "making eye contact" with us.

Daley originally wanted to raise the cigarette tax to just 48 cents per pack, but at last night's Finance Committee meeting a couple of squares on the city council (Edward M. Burke, Ed Smith and Eugene Schulter) pushed for an increase to $1-a-pack. And Cook County Board President John Stroger has said he wants to increase the county's current $1-a-pack tax.

So smoking is going to get a lot more expensive here in Chicago. You should stop. It's bad for you. You should also stop staring at us. You're totally not our type.