[VIDEO]: Illinois Governor to Fund Infrastructure with Alcohol Tax

May 29, 2019

Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker says new  taxes on beer, wine, and liquor would provide an estimated $120 million for infrastructure work in the state.

In published reports, Pritzker said he is confident that Illinois residents will agree to the overall $1.8 billion in new and increased taxes to pay for a massive state construction program. He told reporters that the need to repair roads, bridges, schools, and parks is so apparent that taxpayers will understand his proposals to also double gas taxes and vehicle registration fees.

“There are bridges and roads and highways and waterways that are falling apart…We need to advance the economic interests of the state,” Pritzker told NBC. “We’ve got a lot of work to do here. And I think everybody understands that.”

According to NBC, the current tax on alcohol would rise to $12.60 per gallon, up from $8.55, making it the ninth-highest tax rate for spirits in the U.S. Wine tax would increase to $2.05, and beer would rise about 28 cents. Some in the restaurant and distillery business say the tax will negatively affect their bottom line, forcing them to serve that increase up to consumers.

Source: NBC 5 Chicago