With Bag Tax, Democrats Keep Raising the Cost of Living

Democratic State Representative Laura Faver Dias has filed a bill to bring back the Democrats’ proposed bag tax, just another example of their push to raise the cost of living on Illinois families.

As more legislation is introduced, it’s becoming clear that Democrats’ agenda for the 2026 session is to make everyday life even more expensive. Under Faver Dias’s proposal, a new carryout bag tax would be imposed and then increased by five cents each year through 2030. The tax would apply to paper, plastic, and even reusable bags. 

Bag fee schedule:10 cents per carryout bag starting January 1, 2027

• 15 cents in 2028
• 20 cents in 2029
• 25 cents in 2030

As if working families weren’t already feeling the squeeze, this is just the latest example of policies that drive up costs. And it comes on the heels of another Democrat proposal that would charge families a fee just to light a campfire.

And let’s not forget, Democrats have already:

• Imposed an $8 billion energy rate hike last fall
• Passed the largest budget in state history, packed with tax and fee increases
• Made Illinois one of the most expensive states in the country

Just last month, Speaker Welch claimed Democrats were fighting for affordability. But based on the bills they’ve filed so far, it’s clear they’re doing the exact opposite.

House Republicans have continued to call for lowering the cost of living and reining in out-of-control spending. House Republicans have filed numerous bills to help working families, including Representative Spain’s HB 1383 to eliminate taxes on tips.