Crook County
This issue is a bit parochial, but typical of what goes on in many places.
The county board of Cook County in Illinois has decided to squeeze the taxpayers further with a full percentage point sales tax increase. This will bring the tax rate in many of the Chicago suburbs to 10%. Yes, we are now tithing to our masters in Illinois. Poor Todd Stroger needs to hire 1,000 more patronage workers.
Watch for folks making their purchases of big ticket items over in Lake County where the rate is a "mere" 7%, or order off the internet and come out ahead even with shipping costs.
Some of the outlying suburbs are contemplating seceding from the county. Good luck. This quote from the Chicago Tribune illustrates what a racket this really is:
Still, some suburban leaders doubt they will ever be free of Cook County.
"The Lincoln County proposal is going to be sort of hard to do," said
McLeod, whose town competes with cheaper locales in Kane and Lake
Counties. "Sure, they can make some hay with it, but the powers-that-be
aren't going to let this area go." (emphasis added.)