House Fails to Reverse County Tax

A move to reverse an unpopular Cook County sales tax has failed in the Illinois House.

Some lawmakers wanted the state to intervene and block a 1 percentage-point increase in the local tax.

The measure got a solid majority of 65 votes but not the 71 that were needed for this special legislation to pass. Fifty-one House members voted no.

Roll Call:  How They Voted (.pdf)

"I am happy that the Legislature is not trying to take our home-rule authority," Cook County President Todd Stroger said after the sales-tax vote, according to the Chicago Tribune.  "I think it's important that we are able to fund our government the way we have to without the state really changing what we do."

The House did approve a bill making it easier for the Cook County board to override a veto by the board president.

Currently, it takes a four-fifths majority to override, a far higher standard than most government bodies use. The House voted to require the more common three-fifths majority.

It now goes to the Senate.