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Chicago 2017 Budget passes- adding a new “Check out Bag Tax”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, as part of his 2017 budget introduced on Oct. 11, proposed adding a 7-cent tax on plastic and paper bags used in the city. In a recent Chicago Daily Herald article, Molly Poppe, Office of Budget and Management, was quoted saying: “Ultimately, the goal of the (bag) tax is to change behavior and change how people utilize disposable bags.” The checkout tax replaces Chicago’s 1-year-old plastic bag ordinance, which carried fines for stores that did not provide reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic bags. That ordinance, which had yet to fully roll out, proved less effective than hoped, per Poppe.

On November 16, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s budget was approved by the city council. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017 a checkout tax of 7 cents per bag will be added at all Chicago retailers – 5 cents of which will go to the city and retailers retain 2 cents. It is expected to generate more that $10 million dollars in revenue for the city. The tax does not apply to restaurants and families in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often called food stamps

Make sure to keep checking our website for updates on single use bag legislation that is pending or being implemented. Our retail packaging specialists stay on top of the ever changing market conditions. Let us help you navigate bag legislation in the municipalities you sell into and select the best packaging for your stores. We hope that you will contact us by phone at 888-429-5673 or via email at baglaws@swalter.com.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your specific situation. S. Walter Packaging does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials contained in this site or the compliance with any particular federal, state or local laws and expressly disclaims liability for any errors or omissions in the information and materials.