RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6 (a); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs including promoting the quality of life and the welfare of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, home rule authority also permits the City of Chicago to levy taxes on the sale of cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago collects approximately between $15 to $20 million dollars each year from the tax on the sale of cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, given the difficult economic crisis facing the State of Illinois and municipalities throughout the state, all of these government bodies would benefit for the receipt of additional tax dollars in order to provide basic services to the residents of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the Chicago City Council that tobacco companies are selling cigars in packages that resemble cigarette packages, and the cigars have a similar appearance to cigarettes, except the cigar has the tobacco wrapped in tobacco while a cigarette has the tobacco wrapped in paper; and
WHEREAS, in light of these deceptive practices to evade the payment of cigarette taxes, it is imperative that the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois take action to prevent these practices by permitting home rule units of government to be able to tax all tobacco products; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chicago City Council urge the Illinois General Assembly to amend 65 ILCS 5/8-1 l-6a to permit home rule units of government in the State of Illinois to have the authority to tax any and all tobacco products; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Illinois House Speaker Madigan, Illinois Senate President Cullerton, the members of the Chicago delegation of the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Quinn.