A Battle Over Beverage Tax Wages on in Illinois

CHICAGO — A Cook County judge has temporarily put the brakes on the county's sweetened beverage tax after retailers went to court to stop it.

Circuit Judge Daniel Kubasiak issued the ruling on June 30, days after Illinois Retail Merchants Association and several Chicago-area grocery retailers filed suit against the Cook County Department of Revenue seeking to block the tax. 

Set to take effect July 1, the group argued that the 1-cent-per-ounce levy on sweetened beverages is constitutional and too vague.

The judge’s order delays enforcement of the tax until July 12.

Read more on Progressive Grocer, a Convenience Store News sister publication.