Grocery Tax Must Remain In Joliet: City Officials Explain Why This Must Be So

(The following edited press release is from Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Joliet City Hall's director of communications.)

JOLIET, IL — The City of Joliet has placed a proposal on the agenda for Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting to maintain a local 1 percent grocery sales tax, following the State of Illinois’ decision last year to repeal the statewide tax.

The Council meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The pre-council meeting for the discussion portion of the regular Council agenda is at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Meetings are on the second floor of City Hall.

Signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker on August 5, 2024, Public Act 103-0781 eliminates the current 1 percent grocery tax received by the City of Joliet effective January 1, 2026. Since 1991, this tax has helped fund essential services in communities across Illinois. If the City of Joliet does not vote to maintain the grocery tax it will lose approximately $3.7 million in annual revenue, potentially leading to budget cuts and reduced services.

The city’s goal is to preserve this vital revenue stream to continue supporting core municipal services. Joliet joins dozens of other communities in Will County and over 425 across Illinois that have already taken similar action to maintain reliable funding for critical services such as police, fire protection, street repairs, and snow removal.

“The 1 percent grocery tax has been in place for decades,” said Finance Director Kevin Sing in Friday's press release. “Joliet, like many communities across Illinois, relies on the grocery tax as a consistent, reliable source of funding. Preserving this funding locally ensures we can continue investing in critical services.

"As we enter our 2026 budget process, the elimination of this revenue will have a negative impact on our ability to fund these critical services while continuing the City’s commitment to resurface local roads and sidewalk replacements."

While the individual cost is small, just $1 on a $100 grocery bill, the collective impact is significant, generating millions annually for Joliet’s most vital functions.

Because grocery purchases remain steady year-round, this tax offers a stable, predictable source of funding, even during economic downturns.

Importantly, grocery purchases made with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other assistance programs are exempt from the tax, ensuring protection for low-income households while supporting the broader community's needs.