CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A coalition of bars, restaurants, breweries and distributors are uniting to push back against Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed 35% increase on alcohol taxes in Chicago.
“City Hall's trying to balance the budget by throwing ours out of whack,” said Mark Robertson, the president and co-founder of Two Bears Tavern Group.
At a press conference Wednesday inside the West Loop’s Haymarket Pub and Brewery, Robertson was joined by several other coalition leaders who blasted the idea of raising the city’s alcohol tax to help balance Johnson’s $17.3 billion budget.
Johnson’s proposal would raise wholesale beer sales taxes by 34% and raise the sales tax of spirits by anywhere from 34% – 36%.
“We could raise prices,” Robertson said. “That seems to be the simple answer. Just raise your price. However, every time prices go up, fewer consumers come through the door.”
Michelle Foik, of the Northwest Side’s ERIS Brewery and Cider House, also spoke at Wednesday’s press conference.
“Everything gets taxed,” she said. “I make cider; it gets taxed. Beer, it gets taxed. The liquor I serve behind the bar … our food costs. Does anybody really want to go to a restaurant and pay $18 for a hamburger?”
Pat Doerr, of the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, said the proposed tax hike was “the last thing we need” and will “drive more sales to the suburbs.
Damon Patton, the CEO of Moor's Brewing Company in Chicago, also spoke.
“Instead of planning to grow our company and invest back into the community, the tax hike would prevent us from kind of investing in the business,” he said. “It would prevent us from hiring more people.”
The coalition said it is talking to members of the Chicago City Council, owners of bars and restaurants, as well as others in their push to defeat the alcohol tax increase.
The Tribune reported that Johnson — while at an unrelated news conference on Wednesday — described his proposed tax increases as modest. The mayor also reportedly aired frustrations with those who have been critical of his budget proposal without offering alternative solutions.
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