Plastic Bag Rules: Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Cook County's 7-cent checkout-bag tax (Ord. 16-O-49) took effect November 2017 but was repealed October 2017 effective December 2017 after Illinois Retail Merchants Association challenges. No countywide bag fee or ban applies in 2026.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago does NOT ban plastic carryout bags. Instead, since February 1, 2017, the city imposes a 7-cent checkout bag tax on every paper or plastic bag provided by retailers. Five cents goes to the city, 2 cents stays with the retailer. The earlier 2015 outright thin-plastic ban was repealed because it failed (retailers switched to thicker plastic).
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| County bag tax | Repealed December 2017 | - |
| Original ordinance | 16-O-49 at 7 cents | - |
| Chicago tax | Still active 7 cents | - |
| State preemption | Sales-tax-act ambiguity | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Do I pay a bag fee in suburban Cook County?
Generally no. The county tax was repealed in 2017. Chicago still charges 7 cents per checkout bag, and some home-rule suburbs like Evanston have their own restrictions.
Will Illinois pass a statewide bag rule?
Several bills have been introduced (HB 4377 and others) but none have passed. As of May 2026, Illinois has no statewide plastic bag ban or fee.
Chicago FAQ
Are plastic bags banned in Chicago?
No. Unlike most major US cities, Chicago does not ban plastic carryout bags. It charges a 7-cent tax on each paper or plastic bag instead.
Who pays the 7-cent bag tax?
The customer pays it at checkout. The retailer remits 5 cents to the City and keeps 2 cents. SNAP/LINK and WIC purchases are exempt.
Do restaurants charge the bag tax for takeout?
No. Bags used for restaurant takeout, dine-in service, and produce inside the store are exempt from the 7-cent tax.
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