Cook County's 7-cent checkout-bag tax (Ord. 16-O-49) took effect November 2017 but was repealed October 2017 effective December 2017 after Illinois Retail Merchants Association challenges.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.
Cook County passed the Disposable Bag Tax Ordinance 16-O-49 in November 2016 imposing a 7-cent fee on checkout bags at retailers. The ordinance took effect November 1, 2017, but the County Board repealed it in October 2017 after intense lobbying and concerns about the Illinois Retailer Occupation Tax preemption. No replacement countywide ordinance has passed. Chicago retains its own 7-cent checkout bag tax. Some Cook County suburbs (Evanston) maintain plastic bag restrictions. Illinois has no statewide bag ban; HB 4377 and similar measures have not advanced.
No current Cook County penalty. Chicago retailers within city limits face Department of Finance fines $200 to $500 per inspection for non-collection of the city bag tax.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Evanston, IL
Evanston City Code Title 9 prohibits dogs from barking, howling, or making noise continuously for 15 or more minutes, or intermittently for 30 or more minute...
Evanston, IL
Evanston restricts leaf blower use to the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Both gas and electric leaf ...
Evanston, IL
Evanston regulates noise from commercial and industrial operations near residential areas. The city's noise ordinance sets limits on sound levels that may be...
Evanston, IL
Evanston permits construction activity from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city-recognized holidays. S...
Evanston, IL
Evanston enforces extensive street parking regulations including residential permit zones, time limits of 2 to 4 hours in most areas, and seasonal snow emerg...
Evanston, IL
Evanston regulates driveway construction, width, materials, and use. Driveways require a permit and must be constructed of approved hard surfaces. Parking on...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how Evanston's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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