Illinois Smokers Could Be Paying More With Proposed Tax Hike
Gov. Pritzker proposed a 32-cent hike in the state's cigarette tax yesterday. And it includes e-cigs too.
The proposal is part of the Governor's $39 billion budget unveiled Wednesday. The state per-pack tax is already $1.98, raised from 98-cents in 2012. That extra 32-cents, for a pack-a-day smoker, adds up $116 per year. Pritzker also wants to tax e-cigarettes at the same rate as other tobacco products, which is 36 percent.
Predictions are that this increase per pack, including e-cigs, would generate $65 million in new revenue.
Read more on Governor Pritzker's budget proposal at MyStateline.com.