Environmentalists, shoppers differ on Illinois bag tax
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CHICAGO (AP) - Environmentalists are praising Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposal for a 5-cent tax on all plastic bags at checkouts statewide, but not all shoppers are excited about the idea.
Jim Pruim is a truck driver from the Chicago suburb of Willowbrook. He tells the Chicago Tribune that while the bag tax won't present a financial hardship, he's concerned about government overreach.
Pritzker says the tax could reduce waste and raise revenue. The state's budget proposal says the tax could generate between $19 million and $23 million.
Jordan Parker is executive director of Bring Your Bag Chicago, a nonprofit environmental organization. She says the tax will encourage residents to bypass disposable bags.
Chicago residents already face a 7-cent bag tax. It's unclear if the city would be exempt from the state tax.