ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A total of 656 municipalities in Illinois will continue applying a sales tax to groceries, even though the state eliminated the tax, beginning January 1st, 2026.
Illinois cities, towns, and villages had until October 1, 2025, to decide if they want to continue a local grocery tax. Otherwise, they were tasked with finding other ways to source those funds, including making cutbacks.
According to the Illinois Municipal League, 656 municipalities, more than half, adopted an ordinance to establish a local 1% grocery tax, including Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockton, South Beloit, and Freeport,…