SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -- The Democratic president of the Illinois Senate, John Cullerton, is supporting a plan to raise the state's cigarette tax by $1 per pack.
According to a report by Chicago Tribune, the tax is about three-times the 32-cent cigarette tax that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker proposed in his budget plan.
Supporters of the tax say there are multiple benefits to raising the tax: an additional $159 million in revenue for the state, a reduction in smoking rates and money saved on health costs.
Another element in Cullerton's plan is nearly doubling the state's wholesale tax on other tobacco products, from 64% to 36%, according to the report. That would garner about $20 million in revenue.
Currently, Illinois' tax is $1.98 per pack. The last time it went up was 2012.
Cullerton's plan has not yet been filed. The Senate approved Governor Pritzker's proposal, but awaits approval from the House.
