Wine and Spirits Tax Rates Nearly Double in Illinois

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Illinois, the fifth most populous state in the nation, has taken the bold, positive step of significantly raising alcohol excise taxes to help fill the state’s $11.6 billion budget deficit. Beginning September 1, the wine tax will increase from 73 cents per gallon to $1.39 and spirits will go from $4.50 to $8.55 per gallon. Sadly, the beer tax will only increase from a measly 18.5 cents per gallon to a still meager 23.1 cents. Unfortunately, in the country's largest state, California, the recently passed budget contains no new taxes, only draconian cuts in social services. When will California’s lawmakers wake up and follow the lead of New York, Massachusetts, and now Illinois, to raise alcohol taxes to help fund ailing budgets and critical programs?