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Lake County Gazette

Monday, October 13, 2025

Prairie State Sales Taxes: Lake County residents paid 4th-largest sum in August

Webp cory staley 1

Chief Financial Officer Cory Staley | Illinois Department of Revenue

Chief Financial Officer Cory Staley | Illinois Department of Revenue

Lake County taxpayers paid the fourth largest sum in sales taxes in August, according to Illinois tax records.

In total, residents paid just over $8.7 million in sales taxes during August.

The county also ranked fourth in the Prairie State the month before, with just under $8.9 million spent in sales taxes.

The largest share of sales taxes paid by Lake County residents in August came from the County Share of RTA Sales Tax.

The County Share of RTA Sales Tax, a crucial revenue stream, is primarily allocated for other taxing jurisdictions' use.

A 2025 WalletHub study found that Illinois has the highest overall taxes in the U.S., with rates more than 50% higher than the national average. The study estimates that a median household in Illinois pays an effective tax rate of 16.58%, or about $13,099 per year.

August Lake County Sales Tax Revenue Breakdown

County Share of RTA Sales Tax [49.9%]Countywide Sales Tax [41.5%]County Sales Tax [8.6%]

August Sales Tax Revenues by Type in Lake County
Type of TaxTotal Amount Collected% Change From Previous Month
County Share of RTA Sales Tax$4,347,7932.4%
Countywide Sales Tax$3,618,9781.9%
County Sales Tax$745,774-30.4%

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