A NEW PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES BY ONE DOLLAR EMERGED TUESDAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL. 

THE ONE BUCK INCREASE WOULD RAISE THE STATEWIDE SALES TAX ON A PACK OF SMOKES TO NEARLY THREE DOLLARS. THAT’S IN ADDITION TO ANY LOCAL SALES TAXES APPLIED. ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gozi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay) SAYS THIS WILL HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SMOKERS.

SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN CULLERTON SAYS THIS WILL GENERATE AN ESTIMATED 180 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

THE PLAN ALSO RAISES THE TAX ON CIGARS AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS. IT’S ESTIMATED THE INCREASES WOULD BRING IN ABOUT 180 MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW REVENUE EACH YEAR.