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

Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A few days after agreeing to let them proceed with their class action against one of America's most prominent charities under labor...
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As homeownership may be growing out of reach for many young residents, Illinois lawmakers are split between...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...
Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ ban on conversion therapy may be challenged in the near future. Last week, the U.S. Supreme...
Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches

Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a 3% surcharge on income more than $1 million have less than a month to...
Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

Universities warn state funding delays are wasting millions in taxpayer investment

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Long‑delayed university repair funding is leaving campuses across the state with holes in their roofs, and in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student's alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

Illinois Quick Hits: Loyola student’s alleged killer faces federal firearm charge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An 18-year-old Loyola University student’s accused killer has also been charged with illegal possession of a firearm....
montgomery county Graphic Logo.4

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board for February 10, 2026

Montgomery County Board Meeting | February 10, 2026 The Montgomery County Board met for its regular session on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. Chairman Doug...
Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

Report: Coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in age of AI

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Highly coordinated resilience infrastructure is needed in the age of artificial intelligence, says a new report released Thursday from the Elon University Imagining the Digital...
Litchfield School Logo Graphic.4

Litchfield School Board Sets Fogleman Scholarship at $2,100 Amid Rising Student Eligibility, Reviews $10.1 Million Trust

Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board, acting as the Fogleman Scholarship Trustees, approved a $2,100 scholarship...
U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

U.S., NATO alliance on the line as Trump set to meet with Rutte

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Tensions are running high between President Donald Trump and NATO leaders, as grumblings grow over the U.S. withdrawing from the alliance. NATO’s relationship with the...
BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

BREAKING: Trump fires Bondi, Blanche to lead DOJ

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from the Department of Justice on Thursday, according to a post on social media. "Pam Bondi is...
States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

States sue Trump administration over rollback of some air pollution regulations

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is co-leading a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s rollback of some federal limits on toxic air pollution. The lawsuit...
Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of 'burdensome' mandates

Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of ‘burdensome’ mandates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American...
Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a high-stakes challenge to birthright citizenship, a constitutional law expert...