Cook County Soda Tax Repeal: Vote Delayed After Hours Of Public Commentary

CHICAGO, IL — Despite an overwhelming amount of public comment that lasted for over two hours, Cook County Board Commissioners delayed a vote on a proposed ordinance to repeal the sweetened beverage tax. The vote has been delayed until October 10

Close to 100 medical professionals, business owners, and Chicago residents packed the lobby outside the Meeting, waiting for over an hour to passionately support or oppose the repeal before the board. Many, like Brenda Parker, a life insurance representative who has four grandchildren, expressed their concerns about the health of children. "These chronic diseases are...preventable," Parker said. "I support creating a healthier generation."

Cook County-based doctors took to the mic to detail the damage they've seen children suffer due to sugar consumption. Some in attendance shared personal anecdotes of loved ones they've lost to diabetes, high blook sugar, and heart problems as a result of excessive sugar intake.

Other residents raised the looming question of whether the soda tax was motivated by a true concern for public health or by money. Speakers brought up the ads that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg funded with his $5 million own money. One of the ads begins, "Have you ever seen a child so obese he couldn't move?" One resident said that these ads were being used to "target obese black children," appeal to taxpayers' emotions and "use children as a distraction."

Racial and economic disparity were concerns raised by many in attendance, especially regarding income insecure areas. Chicago’s food deserts have limited availability of healthier beverages and if you’re a resident who receives SNAP benefits, those readily available sweetened beverages are not taxed, which many feel does little to promote public health.

>>Related: Cook County Soda Tax: Boykin Fights To Repeal Measure

Jim Garrett, President and CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau, addressed that ready availability of sweetened beverages. At the podium Garrett displayed two empty soda cans and one empty lemonade bottle. The first two, he said, were bought at Stroger Hospital, and Provident Hospital. The third? It was purchased in the Cook County Board Building where the meeting was in progress.

Garrett added that he lives in Frankfort and has met people in grocery store lines who tell him they are buying their beverages, groceries, and other items in Will County to oppose the beverage tax. Garrett told Patch he believed visitors will get "sticker shock" when they see a beverage tax on top of a sales tax. He joined other speakers and board members in expressing concern over how the tax will affect Cook County's small businesses and overall economy.

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After the vote was delayed and the meeting came to a close, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle addressed those present and brought up an economic appeal of her own,"a vote to repeal is a vote to fire front line health care providers: doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who help serve our most vulnerable patients."

Her comment seemed to illustrate what Commissioner Richard Boykin (D-Oak Park) sees as "hypocrisy." If Preckwinkle is concerned about public health, why are healthcare jobs hingeing on the county earning $200 million from taxpayers buying sweetened beverages?

As of now, Cook County officials —and taxpayers— will have to wait until October to find out more.

>>Image via Pixabay