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1 • Thursday, January 19, 2017 - The Independent
Independent Bensenville
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VOL. 14 • NO. 38
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306738
TAKE ONE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
Retailers: Tobacco 21 proposal is aimed at stores, not young smokers ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK Advocates for Illinois’ shop owners are worried that a proposal to hike the state’s smoking age is more about discouraging cigarette sales than discouraging teenage smoking. Tobacco 21 supporters say by raising the state’s smoking age from 18 to 21, teen smokers will have a harder time getting cigarettes. To drive that point home, the proposed legislation includes a $200 fine for anyone who sells cigarettes to anyone under 21. But Tanya Triche-Dawood, vice president at the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said the legislation eliminates Illinois’ current $25 fine for underage smokers caught with cigarettes. “On one hand, the advocates are saying, we want to make sure minors don’t get access to these products,” Triche-Dawood said. “On the other hand, they are saying, if they do get access to the products, there
won’t be any penalties for them.” rette tax is earmarked for Medicaid, And that’s not just smokers be- as are some of the local cigarette tween 18 and 21. Triche-Dawood taxes in and around Chicago. said the Tobacco 21 legislation ends As fewer people buy cigarettes underage smoking penalties for all teens. Retailers also are worried about competitors across state lines. Triche-Dawood said cigarettes already are cheaper in all of Illinois’ neighboring states. The average price per pack in Illinois is more than $11. And raising the smoking age could give people one more reason to shop elsewhere. “Illinois is actually not an island,” Triche-Dawood said. “A lot of people like to think it is, but it’s not. Illinois is actually surrounded on all sides by other states. And those states compete for the spending dollars in Illinois.” People leaving Illinois to buy cigarettes is not just bad for shop owners. It could be terrible for the state. Illinois’ nearly $2-per-pack ciga-
in Illinois, that tax haul drops. The Tobacco 21 supporters say makstate’s tax receipts fell from $825 ing it tougher to get cigarettes will million in 2015 to $743 million in lead to fewer smokers and lower health care costs as a result. 2017.
Illinois taxpayers to wait a month for state tax refunds
Horstman said “error-free” is the key phrase. He said electronic tax returns will be processed faster. Most Illinois taxpayers file online, though some still use pen and paper. “Eighty-four percent of state of Illinois taxpayers file electronically,” Horstman said. “So there are 16 percent of people out there who prefer the paper method. And the department does accept paper. It will take a longer processing time, as the department will have to individually handle each of those returns.” If you will have to pay the government this year, taxes are due April 17.
Inside:
Police Report.......5, 6 Sports �������������������� 15 Legals..................... 17 Classifieds..........18-19
PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Bensenville Independent
White Pines turns out for Chef Fest
Representatives from 37 Bar & Grill at White Pines Golf Course came out to offer tasty samples of bruschetta and sausage and peppers to those who attended the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 18th annual Chef Fest on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Drury Lane. Pictured are (from left): Andrea Nieto, Dori Bloode, Director of Operations Frank Bonnano, Chef David Heatly and Golf Manager Kevin Lind.
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UTO DVANTAGE
CAR CARE CENTER FULL SERVICE AUTOMOTIVE Across From Dapper’s Restaurant
Addison • 885 W. Lake St. (1-1/2 mile East of Route 53)
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ILLINOIS NEWS NETWORK You can file your Illinois tax return now, but it’s going to be a while before you get your refund. The state of Illinois started accepting tax returns on Monday, the same day as the federal government. But Terry Horstman with the Illinois Department of Revenue says it’s going to take some time for the state to start sending out any refunds. “The Department of Revenue is continuing with its fraud prevention measures,” Horstman said. “We anticipate direct deposit refunds will be issued four weeks from the time that an error-free, electronically filed return was submitted.”
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