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All the tax talk on sugary beverages that happened in January to help offset the state’s Medicaid expenses and provide for obesity prevention, is now “off the table” according to WPSD 6 news.
In a state where the majority of adults are overweight and 1 in 3 children in the state are considered obese or overweight, sugary beverages may only add to the health risks of the state and Medicaid expenses.
Although it was reported that 65% of Latino Illinoisans supported the penny-per-ounce tax, the proposal is unsupported by Republican Senator Paul Schimpf and Senator Dale Fowler, who reported they’re glad to see the sugary beverage tax thrown out, believing it would drive business out of Illinois to other close states.
Research from The HEAL Proposal estimated that an increase in jobs (4,500) could actually happen when revenues of the tax are invested back into health.
Now the estimated $650 million a year that could have been raised for the state is off the table too, but Illinois lawmakers remain positive in finding a solution through other potential taxes that could improve conditions around the state.
By The Numbers
74
percent
of Latino kids have had a sugary drink by age 2 (vs. 45% of white kids)
