Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

February 9, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, D-Grayslake, has proposed legislation to impose a 10-cent fee on carryout bags at retail establishments, effective Jan. 1.

House Bill 5112 would also increase the tax by 5 cents every year until the fee is 25 cents per bag. The fee would apply to any kind of bag.

HB 5112 would also ban retailers from using plastic bags for delivering goods to consumers.

KANSAS MAN ARRESTED AFTER HIGHWAY SHOOTING IN ILLINOIS

Illinois State Police special agents have arrested a Wichita, Kansas man after a pursuit involving multiple vehicles allegedly being shot at.

ISP says Drew D. Smading, 33, fired a weapon at a vehicle on Highway 13 near Lenzburg on Friday and then fired at four other vehicles before crashing near Sparta.

TAX PREP ASSISTANCE OFFERED

State government officials say free tax preparation help is available for low-to-moderate income families and older adults filing their 2025 income taxes.

The Internal Revenue Service, American Association of Retired Persons’ Foundation Tax-Aide Program, the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program and the GetYourRefund Program provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide.

Taxpayers can learn more about free tax assistance by visiting IDOR’s website.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Supreme Court upholds executive authority in immigration cases

Supreme Court upholds executive authority in immigration cases

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Asylum seekers who arrive at the border are not entitled to entry and the Department of Homeland Security has broad authority over the temporary protected...
DeWine vetoes absentee voter photo ID

DeWine vetoes absentee voter photo ID

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Ohio legislative Republicans have not committed to an override of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill requiring voter ID for absentee ballots, but...
U.S. jumping into action to assist Venezuela following massive earthquakes

U.S. jumping into action to assist Venezuela following massive earthquakes

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is vowing to assist following two powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela Wednesday evening, with thousands of casualties feared. In a Truth Social post,...
Parents warned of YMCA camps’ transgender-inclusive policies for cabins, restrooms

Parents warned of YMCA camps’ transgender-inclusive policies for cabins, restrooms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square The American Parents Coalition released a “Lookout” notification to parents over the YMCA’s transgender-inclusive camp and programming policies that include allowing males into female cabins...
Chicago's potential 'teen takeover' solutions cost taxpayers

Chicago’s potential ‘teen takeover’ solutions cost taxpayers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the trend sometimes referred to as “teen takeovers” continues to trouble the city of Chicago, government...
Congressional proposal aims at ‘loophole’ for ideology policies

Congressional proposal aims at ‘loophole’ for ideology policies

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Taxpayer dollars going through “a loophole to promote far-left, radical ideology” needs to stop, says North Carolina’s junior senator as he seeks to codify an...
Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

Illinois Quick Hits: Opioid overdose deaths decline in Cook County

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square0 – Opioid overdose deaths are down for the third straight year in Chicago and suburban Cook County. According...

WATCH: How data centers rescued a struggling central Washington community

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Imagine the value of your home goes way up, but your property tax bill goes down. Imagine the small town you live in has a...
Oppenheimer’s grandson supports nuclear energy bill

Oppenheimer’s grandson supports nuclear energy bill

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The grandson of the man who oversaw the invention of the atomic bomb spoke out Wednesday morning in support of nuclear energy development in California....
Trump expresses frustration with NATO as Rutte praises the president

Trump expresses frustration with NATO as Rutte praises the president

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President Donald Trump Wednesday, putting NATO on the defensive as the president has questioned the alliance's relationship with...
Ex-fire chief sues Los Angeles mayor for defamation

Ex-fire chief sues Los Angeles mayor for defamation

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The former Los Angeles fire chief is suing Mayor Karen Bass for defamation related to the devastating Palisades Fire. Kristin Crowley was removed from her...
Over $10 billion U.S. taxpayer dollars spent on improper SNAP payments in 2025

Over $10 billion U.S. taxpayer dollars spent on improper SNAP payments in 2025

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. states and territories made a collective $10 billion in improper payments to SNAP recipients nationwide in fiscal year 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture...
Teachers unions call for special session, more money

Teachers unions call for special session, more money

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Federation of Teachers are calling for a special session of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Bond, TIF money helps fund Chicago neighborhood grants

Illinois Quick Hits: Bond, TIF money helps fund Chicago neighborhood grants

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced $42.5 million in grant support for 56 neighborhood development projects. A...
Pritzker approves law sealing reproductive medical records past state lines

Pritzker approves law sealing reproductive medical records past state lines

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion nationwide, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker...