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Lake County Gazette

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Waukegan residents paid 21st-largest sum in sales taxes per municipality in Illinois during 2023

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Director David Harris | Illinois Department of Revenue

Director David Harris | Illinois Department of Revenue

Waukegan taxpayers paid the 21st largest sum in sales taxes in 2023, according to Illinois tax records.

In total, residents paid approximately $29.1 million in sales taxes during that year.

Waukegan ranked 19th in the Prairie State the year before, with just under $27.4 million spent in sales taxes.

The largest share of taxes paid by the residents in 2023 came from Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax.

In Illinois, the Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax applies to a broad range of general merchandise. It operates similar to the state sales tax, but excludes certain items like vehicles and specific foods, drugs, and medical appliances that require state agency titling or registration. While this tax can be set in small increments with no maximum limit, it's important to note that not all municipalities choose to implement it. The revenue generated is destined to local services and infrastructure needs.

As of 2021, Illinois was the highest taxed state in the US. A study from Wallet Hub found Illinois taxes were 39.83% higher than the national average.

Illinois governor J. B. Pritzker is accused of adding more than $5.2 billion in new or higher taxes since coming into power in early 2019. As a business owner, he has a fortune of more than $3 billion, largely based on his family's wealth and connections.

Composition of Sales Tax Revenue in Waukegan in 2023

Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax [50.1%]Municipal Sales Tax [49.8%]Tax Revenue <5% [0.1%]

Sales Taxes Collected in Waukegan in 2023

Type of TaxAmount Collected in Year% Change From Previous Year
Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax$14,566,7026.3%
Municipal Sales Tax$14,459,7496%
Municipal Automobile Renting Tax$31,1486.5%

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