Cook County the Elite Taxer

By Sean Stillmaker in News on Jul 17, 2010 7:00PM

The Department of Revenue of Cook County was the proud recipient of the 2010 tax collector award by the National Association of Counties. It's strategic planning and modernization efforts to collect the money off its citizens was unmatched by any other in the U.S. Cook County previously ranked number one with the highest sales tax in any large city at 10.25 percent. The rollback that took effect July 1 only ties us for the number one slot with Los Angeles at 9.75 percent. The highest sales tax in the country is 12 percent in Cullman County of Alabama.

The Cook County commissioners applauded their achievement award at the board meeting on July 13. While other counties were commended for their green initiatives and public safety programs, Cook County was bestowed Strategic Planning in regards to collecting home rule taxes. Illinois was one of the last states to adopt home rules taxes into our constitution - July 1, 1971. Home rule taxes is where a county can impose and collect more taxes on tangible goods and services where it sees fit without voter approval. Home rule taxes in Cook County and Chicago are at 1.25 percent. The revenue generated from this additional tax is required to fund Cook County government operations - like new office furniture for Board President Todd Stroger.