Chicago Board Votes to Cut Highest U.S. Sales Tax, Board President May Veto May 7, 2009 Joseph Bishop-Henchman Joseph Bishop-Henchman A week after the Illinois Policy Institute released a report on how Cook County’s 10.25% sales tax pushes shoppers—and revenues—into neighboring counties, the Cook County Board has voted to repeal its recent sales tax increase, which would bring it back down to 9.25%. Board President Todd Stroger has vowed to veto the reduction. We chronicled how Stroger pushed through this unwise double-digit sales tax back in 2008. Taxes matter. Surrounded by lower-tax jurisdictions not too far away, it was folly of Cook County to push through such a high sales tax. Our modern mobile society means that cities as well as states and countries must be attuned to nearby tax policy to stay competitive. Stay informed on the tax policies impacting you. Subscribe to get insights from our trusted experts delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Share Tweet Share Email Topics Center for State Tax Policy Illinois Sales Taxes