Cigarette prices in Illinois could jump by $1 | News

It isn’t law yet, but a bill to raise the tax on cigarettes in the state of Illinois by $1 per pack is moving forward.

An Illinois Senate committee approved the measure on a 9-4 vote along party lines Tuesday.  Now, it goes to the full Senate and if they approve it, it’ll go to Governor Pat Quinn to be signed into law.

Democrats say it’ll help balance the state Medicaid budget and keep people from smoking.  Republicans are against any tax increase.

Lawmakers in support of the idea say the new tax would result in about $350 million for Medicaid, which now faces a large deficit. The federal government would match that, bringing the total to $700 million.          

Smokeless tobacco and other smoking-related products would also see new taxes.

According to the American Lung Association, Illinois smokers currently pay a little over $6 per pack on average.

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