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

Ferguson first WA governor found in violation of ethics laws in over 30 years, state website shows

Ferguson first WA governor found in violation of ethics laws in over 30 years, state website shows

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square Gov. Bob Ferguson is the first Washington governor in more than 30 years to be found in violation of the state's executive ethics law, according...
Court strikes tariff, Trump moves ahead with replacement

Court strikes tariff, Trump moves ahead with replacement

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's administration signaled Friday it intends to appeal a federal trade court's ruling striking down his 10% global tariff as unlawful, while simultaneously...
North Dakota Supreme Court sides with Energy Transfer in Greenpeace fight over Dutch lawsuit

North Dakota Supreme Court sides with Energy Transfer in Greenpeace fight over Dutch lawsuit

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled this week that Greenpeace International cannot keep pursuing most of its lawsuit against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands as...
SNAP cuts, Illinois payment errors spark fierce debate

SNAP cuts, Illinois payment errors spark fierce debate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state senator says the federal government is to blame for 150,000 Illinoisans losing Supplemental Nutrition...
Op-Ed: Keeping local leaders happy isn’t worth the housing cost

Op-Ed: Keeping local leaders happy isn’t worth the housing cost

By Christina Sandefur and LyLena D. EstabineThe Center Square Chicago rents have soared to historic highs, but in Phoenix they’re falling. The reason? A greater housing supply. In 2024, Arizona...
Apollo, Gemini sightings revealed in first UAP file drop

Apollo, Gemini sightings revealed in first UAP file drop

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The long-anticipated Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) or Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) files have been released by the federal government, showing images and descriptions of unexplained...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Norkus Shines in Pitcher’s Duel as Beecher Edges Ottawa 1-0

In a defensive masterclass on Thursday, the Beecher varsity softball team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ottawa in a non-conference matchup. Beecher pitcher Taylor Norkus was the story of...
BREAKING: GOP turns to Congress after Minnesota Dems block Omar subpoena

BREAKING: GOP turns to Congress after Minnesota Dems block Omar subpoena

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota House Republicans want help from U.S. congressional oversight leaders after Democrats on a state committee blocked an effort to subpoena U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar...
U.S. economy adds 115,000 jobs in April

U.S. economy adds 115,000 jobs in April

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, about double what economists had forecast, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%, the Bureau of...
Illinois weighing a ban on sale of some smoke detectors over safety concerns

Illinois weighing a ban on sale of some smoke detectors over safety concerns

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With long-living smoke detectors on the market and required to be installed in Illinois, public safety officials...
Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly leaders promise budget transparency

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly leaders promise budget transparency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, say more than...
Justice Department agrees to appearance waiver for Comey

Justice Department agrees to appearance waiver for Comey

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday requested his appearance in a North Carolina federal court be canceled, and the U.S. Department of Justice gave...
beecher illinois public library graphic.1

Beecher Library Trustees Award 2026 Landscaping and Lawn Maintenance Contracts

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | March 17, 2026 Groundskeeping Approved: The Beecher Public Library District Board approved two separate contracts for the 2026 season to manage lawn mowing, bush...
Court strikes down Trump's backup tariffs as unlawful

Court strikes down Trump’s backup tariffs as unlawful

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal trade court struck down President Donald Trump's latest global tariff on Thursday, ruling that the import taxes were unauthorized by law and ordering...
U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The federal government is projected to post a $2 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2026, double the 3% of GDP target that has bipartisan support...