Business

Chicago Mulls Soda Tax

People in Chicago may be paying a lot more for a can of soda if the city council has its way.

“On Tuesday, the Chicago City Council is hearing arguments over a proposed tax on sugary drinks,” My Fox Chicago reports, “Ald. George Cardenas (12th) wants Chicago to charge a 15- to 35-cent tax on drinks to reduce consumption and lower obesity rates.”

The council claims the additional tax revenues would be used to fund “health programs.”

According to the Yale Rudd Center for Food, Policy and Obesity calculator, which estimates how many gallons of sweetened beverages city residents consume in a year, Chicago’s proposed 1 cent per ounce tax — just 1 cent! — would generate $129 million annually:

Chicago Mulls Soda Tax

Not surprisingly, and probably still annoyed with the city’s tax on bottled water, retailers are fighting the council’s proposal.

“However well-intentioned a soda tax might be, it would unfairly target middle-class workers,” Mike Ciaccio, political director for the Teamsters Joint Council 25 said. “These are jobs where someone could spend 30 or 40 years with one company and retire with a modest pension — the kind of jobs we’re trying to create.

Ciaccio cites a federal study that shows for every 10 percent increase in taxes on sugary drinks there is a 12 percent decrease in consumption. Bottom line: a citywide tax on soda would translate into fewer sales, less production, and fewer jobs.

“Something as regressive as increasing the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would simply take away those jobs,” he said. “And there will be a trickle-down effect to supermarket employees, restaurants and small business owners.”

Watch the news brief via My Fox Chicago:

Meanwhile, health experts continue to ignore the possible economic repercussion because they believe child obesity is the real clear and present danger.

“We know that taxing at the right level can reduce consumption of sugary drinks and that reducing consumption will help reduce the prevalence of obesity,” said city Health Commissioner Dr. Bechara Choucair.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that reducing consumption of sugary drinks could be the single-most effective intervention in reducing the prevalence of obesity in the United States,” Choucair added.

Cardenas had pledged to work with the Health Department, the business community, and the Chicago Public Schools to come up with a tax policy that pleases everyone, Fox reports.

Comments (105)

1 2 3
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:33pm

    The American Revolution was fought over a 14% tax. Most Americans are paying over 50% when you include all the indirect taxes. How much is enough?

    Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:19am

      You should be familiarizing yourself with Agenda 21..What will be their excuse with diet drinks?. They tout GMO(genetically modifiedorganisms) as being necessary to feed the “unwanted” growing world population..when these foods forever alter the DNA of the ones consuming them. Vermont passed a bill requiring the food labeling of GMO foods..Monsanto Labs is threatening the state of Vermont with a crippling lawsuit if they are made to do so The DNA that enters our cells produces effects which have never before been seen on earth. Some of them are infertility, sterility, cancer, auto-immune disease and transmission of this foreign DNA to our offspring. Forever.
      Support Rep. Kucinich GMO Labeling Bill HR.3553 which will force the FDA to tell Monsanto to label GMO foods.
      Neither sense nor science would permit these atrocities. Only greed.

      Report Post »  
    • Kerstile
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:41am

      Ashes, are you saying that my body somehow incorporates the working dna of the organisms I consume into my own dna, in a way similar to gene splicing (using modified viruses?)? Please supply references. Sounds like BS.

      Report Post » Kerstile  
    • HKS
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:54am

      It take a lot of money to run a crime family, they need 100% and that way they can give mo people food stamps and such and still get their half.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Razlord
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:16am

      kerstile,

      search gmo foods…get your own links.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:43am

      GMO foods do not supplant their modified genome into yours. That is complete BS and Kerstile is right. However, there are plenty of evil and nefarious things happening concerning GMO’s, not the least of which is that it is now legal for a corporation to patent genetic material for decades while allowing genetic drift due to the pesky nature of sexual plant reproduction to spread their patented genetic sequence to nearby farms. Once nearby farms are affected, all that corps. like Monsanto have to do is to illegally trespass and find one plant that contains “their” gene so that they can sue the farmer for damages and force him into either buying their seed year after year or pack up and move away.

      Please stop making up ignorant %h!t that you can‘t prove and that doesn’t exist just to make GMO’s sound bad. Those of us who are in the know can tell others just how bad they are without having to resort to scare tactics and we are much better at convincing others to join our cause than you are with your “OH MY GOD!!! GMO’S ARE GONNA TURN US ALL INTO CANCER RIDDEN ZEBRAS!” bs. Oh, and just so you know. The reason that GMO’s might be harmful is that the inserted DNA (while the organism is living) creates proteins that are not normally found in the plant. Alot of these proteins that they aim to put in the plants are insecticidal in nature and therefore slightly toxic. It is not the DNA altering your DNA. If you cook food, DNA and some proteins break apart. Denaturing, loo

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:01am

      @Kerstyle… I received this yesterday from a doctor who spends her life fighting for our rights to consume healty food and supplements..which Clinton had signed away in some NWO pact when he was in office..here is the link..this provides the bill that Kucinich has presented before Congress to keep us safe..if you don’t believe me..research Agenda 21 for yourself.
      .http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9077

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:13am

      @SRGNTB..Oh no..lets not get excited about this..especially when Monsanto refuses to label their foods as GMO’s and threatens lawsuits to do so ..and that we are over populated according the government.who think the earth is made to support only 500 million in place of 7 billion..huh..Let me ask you something brainiac…if GMO’s are created to “feed the masses” then why are farmers paid not to farm..just some questions you might ask yourself..even though what you have stated is true about them trying to get rid of all of our heirloom seeds or natural God made ones and we will have to use these man modified ones..ever wonder why there is so much cancer..alzhiemers..auto immune diseases..aside from the toxins and the leaks from nuclear? I understand Bill Gates has a mountain in Iceland or Norway with every seed known to man..and that the govenment has an underground city in Denver with the same….the scientologists have a guarded hide-away with a landing strip for jets..and if I am not mistaken..right here on the Blaze..it was reported that the biggest supplies bought by the government recently were toll-like booths..hollow point bullets and radiation pills. So please don’t school me on scare tactics.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:17am

      @SRGT Let‘s not get excited about a few little insecticidal toxins that we ingest from GMO’s
      These reveal that we continually reproduce these alterations and pass them on to offspring..
      http://www.anh-usa.org/genetically-engineered-food-alters-our-digestive-systems/
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d635CeKn1KI

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:41am

      I Gave up soda now drink ice tea let’s repeat history.
      If there is no law create one and if there is no tax create one.

      Report Post »  
    • republitarian
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:49am

      Sin taxes are immoral. Period.

      Report Post » republitarian  
    • 321481
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:18am

      Most politicians never saw a tax they didn’t like.

      Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:27am

      Yeah… That‘s what they’re concerned about….. Obesity, not funding their bloated wage and benefit packages, it’s OBESITY, the only thing OBESE in this country, is THE GOVERNMENT !!!!!!!along with the 400 lb Gorilla in front of me at the grocery store, using her foodstamp card…….

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 11:26am

      For both the ignorant and the few intelligent. If you haven’t switched you and your family to grass fed beef, pastured fowl and pork, organic / pastured dairy and organic vegetables and grain than you clearly have no interest in your health. The amount of growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals you consume from industrial food is the most direct threat you face in regards to your families health and well being. For those who are concerned about the expense…. the best solution is to eat 30% less which neutralizes the cost. You‘ll won’t loose any nutrients but probably some weight from the excess calories you consume today due to the inadequacies in your diet.

      Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:31pm

    The American Revolution was fought over a 14% tax. The tax in America counting all taxes direct and indirect is over 50% for most of us. How much more do we need to give up?

    Report Post »  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:30pm

    Raise the taxes on politicians wages to the point where they quit their jobs and we might reduce stupidity..

    Report Post »  
    • streetrodder
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:21am

      Great idea.

      Report Post »  
    • SgtB
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:47am

      I think we’d have better luck making it so that congressmen are only allowed inside the buildings one day per year with a maximum of 5 bills to bring forward for voting. Then, we give them bonuses for not passing any laws and an extra bonus if the law they pass strikes down 10 or more laws already on the books without supplanting them with new regulation.

      Report Post » SgtB  
  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:23pm

    What the hell is the Blazes problem? How many more Biased posts are you not going to post??

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:44am

      Don’t like them, you can leave, no one will miss you.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:17pm

    A higher tax on soda for reducing Obesity? B.S. this big tax hike is to line their damn political pockets just like all taxes have been! Tax money is never used for the Stated Purpose by any Politician! Taxation is the Main downfall of this Country. We pay more in taxes today than our Ancestors did against the tax by the British! Stop the Taxation,Already! We are paying way too much in wasted tax money Now! The best way to help curb obesity is to block the Foodstamp Card from accepting ALL junk food. Everybody I know that is on Welfare are FAT! They’re the ones that have one or two shopping carts full of nothing but soda and chips.

    Report Post »  
    • XdemXrepub
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:43pm

      You’re right .They just want more tax revenue to fund their GOVT UNION pensions. They know some will stop consuming soda etc but most won’t just like with cigarrettes. They CARE about Revenue not peoples health.
      I wouldn’t be suprised that they have a extra Chicago city tax on tobacco in addition to State and Federal….because they want the MONEY!

      Report Post » XdemXrepub  
    • JP4JOY
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:44pm

      State with the largest overweight population, Mississippi

      State with the most welfare recipients per capita, Mississippi

      Nuff Said

      Report Post » JP4JOY  
    • SHOWMESTATEGUY
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:54pm

      You are right on all counts, but in a PC world you can’t say that.

      I don’t hear too much about people starving to death since BO took office. Wonder if that creed, (people starving in the streets), will reapear if Romney is elected in 2012? Answer to my own question. You can count on it. MSNBC.

      Report Post »  
    • Balpit
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:35pm

      If they’re not stopped, they’ll find a way to tax air and water, too.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:17pm

    Drink that crap if you want. I dont drink it so Im safe from the confiscation of my money…But they tax ammo. The Fers are gonna get you some way…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • FromSeaToSea
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:35pm

      The American Revolution was fought over a 14% tax. Most Americans are paying 50+% when you include all the indirect taxes. How much is enough?

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:41am

      I also drink none of that. I love how upset everyone is over this as if it is so surprising the idiots fin something else to tax. here in wa state they will tax my casket. when will people say enough of my money enough taking of my freedom

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:48am

      If there is no law create one if there is no tax create one.

      Report Post »  
  • ddg7
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Anyone stupid enough to live in Chicago deserves to be taxed. Tax their soda! Tax their kids! Tax their air!

    Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 9:53am

      I agree that also goes for NY, Detroit and California if your dumb enough to keep bending over you deserve the screwing.

      Report Post »  
  • nobull14
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:49pm

    I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Cook county they the local government will skin the money out of you any way they can !!!!!!!!!!!! I moved out of IL as soon as I could . One of the most Corrupt cities in the country

    Report Post »  
    • 98ZJUSMC
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:14am

      You got that right. I was born downtown and moved to the burbs (Mt. Prospect) years and years ago.

      My advice to anyone: Leave. ASAP.

      Southern Illinois is still free and there I shall stay to lead the counter-revolution.

      Report Post » 98ZJUSMC  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:47pm

    I’m just waiting to hear if liberals will start crying out “We’re Taxed Enough Already!”…I know, it’ll never happen.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:39pm

    I see a huge traffic in “illegal” soda coming in from other areas .. also what will they do about Soda Stream? You can make your own at home .. I would invest in one of those if I drank soda.

    Report Post »  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:38pm

    NO!

    (That’s all I have to say about that)

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:38pm

    the democrats seem to understand the concept that when you tax something you get less of it when it pertains to things like the sugar taxes and tobacco taxes, but then claim ignorance when they raise taxes on the “ rich” ( hard workers ) then exclaim that the resulting drop in revenue had nothing to do with the raising of taxes

    unbelievable

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • scuba13
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:34pm

    I don’t always drink soda, but when I do it won’t be in Chicago.

    Report Post » scuba13  
    • Watchyer6
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 7:50am

      That‘s because in Chicago It’s called “pop.“ If you ask for ”soda” you will get club soda. That said, this is all about mo’ money, just like the red light cameras and now the speeding cameras. Of course, Emanuel says its about “saving the children.”

      Report Post » Watchyer6  
  • SHOWMESTATEGUY
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:32pm

    Don’t be too hard on Chicago. They have one of the most burdensome public employee union problems in the country. If the dems don’t keep the unions happy how are the dems going to get re-elected? It’s called Darwinism, survial of the most connected.

    Report Post »  
    • marhee9
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:38pm

      I think you nailed the real problem with Chicago Show. The unions have long since taken over this once great city. No coinicidence that our current commie in charge started his political career there. There is a great video showing the hypocrisy of this guy that came out earlier today. A must watch for those paying attention. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVXFGTUNDjE

      Report Post »  
  • Belwraith
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:32pm

    If they want to see a decline in obesity, they should make a dinner salad cost as little as a hamburger!

    Report Post »  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:32pm

    They’ve been happily contemplating this backward thinking policy for a while now. It’ll pass in record time if for no other reason than destroying as much choice and capital as possible before the rout of the insurgents in office.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • Dalady
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:31pm

    Too bad for Coca-Cola that they dumped ALEC. This is precisely the kind of issue where they are needed. Jesse “Shakedown” Jackson successfully extorted money and concessions not once but twice from Coke. Isn’t Jackson from Chicago? He knows an easy mark when he sees one, and so do the rest of them. OMG 2012

    Report Post »  
  • IDONTTHINKSO
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:20pm

    Unemployment will take a big jump up! Soda sells will take a big fall down!!

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Why don’t they pass a CO2 tax on carbonated water, then pass a belching tax, it causes global warming, then they can pass a fart tax on Pizza and Brats. Soon Chicago will have a bunch of people that will join the Anachists and be marching on city hall (how fast can Rahm run). We can make Chicago a little science experiment, see how fast we can turn it into Detroit.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Medic109
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 5:17am

      Ok my rely has nothin to do with the comments. I just want to say every time I see your user name I smile a little and then am tempted to change mine to “Darmok..his sails unfurled.” :)

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Isn’t Obama Socialism… neat?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • TXMD
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:11pm

    Oh yes. . . note the 3million for flavored water. That does not take into account the gallons and gallons of non-flavored water that people buy. Some of y’all may be old enough to remember drinking fountains. …Sigh!

    Report Post » TXMD  
  • TXMD
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:09pm

    My mind boggles at the stuipdity of people in positions to make absurd decisions. Just when I think it can’t get any worse, there comes another milestone. It didn’t work with prohibition. It sure doesn’t work with drugs. (In fact, did you know that we can eliminate drugs from all schools if only we approached the issue with the same fervor as has been levied to remove all traces of God and Christianity from the schools. Follow the money. Follow the power & control. Follow the agenda!) At any rate, tax will draw money from people but the way to curb obecity is to place restrictions on food subsidies and stamps, if anyone really gives a hoot. And, I don’t think anyone really cares about overeaters – The issue is control of the poor folks in the middle who work 40+ hours per week, bring home an honest paycheck, and pay taxes to support the majority of people who don’t…
    God help us. That is, if he is still anywhere near this nation of ours. More likely he is standing at the threshhold waiting to be invited back in.

    Report Post » TXMD  
  • johnVMFA122
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:09pm

    Nudge… push, then shove. These a$$clowns cannot control their own behavior with all the money they take from my check, my wallet and my home. Why do I want them controllong MINE. If (when) they do this, I will never visit Chitown again.

    Report Post »  
  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:07pm

    A tax on soda to control obesity? Haven’t these brainiacs ever herd of diet soda? Just more nannyism. Here’s a thought: if by taxing something you get less of it, maybe we should tax liberals and socialists at 100% and see if we can make them all go away.

    Report Post »  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 8:33am

      All the sugary drinks, the dentists must be kept busy with appointments for cavities. Notice I did not say the dentists are getting “rich” in that town. I pay my dentist up front but many people figure the dentist can be one of the last ones to be paid. Dental plans usually are extra on a hlth policy…is this getting something in line for when Obama Care passes?

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:01am

      It’s a mental thing kinda like the way the left thinks diet soda means your on a diet.

      Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:04pm

    FkOff.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love