Starting Sunday, the next time you dine out or buy a big screen television in the Chicago area you should find a little extra change in your pocket.
That’s because the dawn of the New Year means Cook County’s sales tax falls a quarter cent. In most parts of Chicago, the combined city, county and state sales tax rate falls from 9.75 percent to 9.5 percent on all retail purchases except groceries.
Likewise, taxes on a restaurant tab will fall a quarter cent but will vary depending where you dine out. Restaurants inside a special taxing district that includes downtown Chicago will see taxes fall from 11 percent to 10.75 percent, for example.
But don’t get too excited: Chicago retains the dubious distinction of having the highest sales tax rate of any big city in the nation.
Now....where to spend our gains. Not Chicago, and certainly not Cook County. Suggestions?