Chicago Cigarette Taxes: Rahm Emanuel Reportedly Eyes 75-Cent Tax Hike For Smokers

Report: Rahm To Propose Increasing City Cigarette Tax

Though Mayor Rahm Emanuel previously announced he'll be holding the line on property, sales and gasoline taxes in Chicago as he looks to balance the city's budget, it appears the same cannot be said for the city's already-lofty cigarette tax.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Emanuel plans to increase the city cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack, a move that would bring total taxes to $7.42-per-pack and giving Chicago the highest cigarette taxes in the nation, surpassing New York City's rate.

Such a tax hike comes on the heels of similar county and state tax hikes on cigarettes that went into effect over the past year and a half.

The city's cigarette tax rate has held steady at 68 cents per pack since 2006, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The estimated $10 million in added revenue from the cigarette tax increase would go toward expanding the CPS vision and eye-care program in addition to going toward youth after-school and summer jobs programs, according to the Sun-Times.

The mayor will present his proposed budget in his annual budget address on Wednesday.

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