Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

Illinois Quick Hits: Statewide bag tax proposed

February 9, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

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

Litchfield Panthers Softball Graphic

Massive Second Inning Propels Athens Past Litchfield, 10-4

The Litchfield varsity softball team jumped out to an early lead on Friday, but a massive eight-run second inning by visiting Athens proved too much to overcome in a 10-4...
Trump: Strikes on Iran could be 'winding down'

Trump: Strikes on Iran could be ‘winding down’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is “very close” to meeting objectives in Iran, President Donald Trump said Friday, while providing a glimpse of the region after military strikes...
Arizona Republican lawmakers plan to end Cesar Chavez Day

Arizona Republican lawmakers plan to end Cesar Chavez Day

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature is working on a bill to end Cesar Chavez Day following allegations of sexual abuse and rape by...
Barrasso: Senate Dems have 'blood on their hands' for DHS shutdown

Barrasso: Senate Dems have ‘blood on their hands’ for DHS shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the ongoing partial government shutdown now the second-longest in American history, irritated Republicans are berating Senate Democrats, who for the fifth time Friday blocked...
DEA seizes fentanyl, pill presses, guns and millions in cash

DEA seizes fentanyl, pill presses, guns and millions in cash

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Armed with battering rams and search warrants, federal agents stormed homes and warehouses across the country, seizing millions in cash, piles of illegal drugs and...

WATCH: Illinois House hears bill banning ‘convertible pistols’ amid ‘switch’ concerns

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois legislators are contemplating a bill to prohibit the sale of certain types of pistols that can...
GOP lawmakers call for gas tax suspension as prices climb

GOP lawmakers call for gas tax suspension as prices climb

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called for the wrangling of spiking gas prices...
Illinois Quick Hits: Bill targets youth community participation

Illinois Quick Hits: Bill targets youth community participation

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure advancing at the Illinois Statehouse looks to strengthen civic participation among young people, according to the bill’s sponsor....
House Republican leaders back White House AI framework

House Republican leaders back White House AI framework

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square House Republican leaders are pledging to enact the Trump administration’s newly released national legislative framework for AI regulation. The proposal outlines how Congress should address...
Low illegal border crossings continued in February

Low illegal border crossings continued in February

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings and apprehensions in February saw continued record declines and the lowest number so far this year. Nationwide apprehensions totaled 26,963 in February,...
Bill renaming highway for Charlie Kirk faces uncertainty

Bill renaming highway for Charlie Kirk faces uncertainty

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The Arizona Legislature this week passed a bill renaming a major Arizona highway after conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Senate Bill 1010 renames Loop 202 as...
Poll: More than a third of American voters don't trust U.S. power grid

Poll: More than a third of American voters don’t trust U.S. power grid

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Slightly more than half of American voters say they at least "somewhat trust" the American power grid, according to a new poll. The Center Square...
Harvard sued after Jewish students harassed

Harvard sued after Jewish students harassed

By Christen SmithThe Center Square Harvard University found itself at the center of a federal discrimination lawsuit on Friday after the Trump administration said it failed to protect Jewish and...
In one year, U.S. military conduct tens of thousands of missions at southwest border

In one year, U.S. military conduct tens of thousands of missions at southwest border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In one year, U.S. military conducted tens of thousands of detection, monitoring and security site missions at the southwest border. More than 20,000 service members...
Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois lags behind nation in roads and bridges

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois lags behind nation in roads and bridges

By The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ roads and bridges continue to lag behind most of the country, ranking 37th overall in the Reason Foundation’s 29th...