If a state senator gets her way, you’ll be paying an additional 12 cents tax -- on top of the existing sales tax -- for a can of soda, something the Illinois Beverage Association says would hit working Illinois families the hardest.

Democratic state Senator Mattie Hunter will hold a press conference Wednesday at which she’s expected to push for a penny per ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks. Most of the revenue generated would go into the Illinois Wellness Fund and be used to expand obesity prevention programs. The Illinois Beverage Association’s Executive Director Jim Soreng says the tax won’t combat obesity.

Soreng also says the tax would actually be a jobs killer.

Soreng says it makes no sense to increase taxes to fund new programs while the state is hurting financially. Hunter’s legislation, Senate Bill 1584, remains within the Senate Assignments Committee, where it’s been since February of last year.