The Lawndale News recently reported on how the tax has been crippling small businesses and hurting jobs.

“Lower sales means that we have to cut down hours from all employees,” Laurie Tenuta, district manager for Valli Produce International Fresh Market told Lawndale News. “It is not right for them to have to lose hours or have to suffer because of this tax.”

Consumers are also fuming and are not being fooled by the blatant government money grab.  “I have never seen so much outrage and anger that is being displayed by our Tony’s customers regarding this regressive beverage tax,” said Frank Guiglio, district manager for Tony’s Fresh Market. In fact, an August poll of Cook County registered voters showed that 87 percent of respondents opposed the tax.

Beverage taxes are just bad policy. They harm businesses, jobs and hard-working families.