Cook County taxpayers paid $843,091 in County Sales Tax in May, according to Illinois tax records.
This figure marks a significant decrease from the previous month, when County Sales Tax collection stood at $938,667.
Over the past 12 months, Cook County’s residents have collectively paid a total of $7.4 million in County Sales Tax.
The County Sales Tax is a local sales tax imposed on retail sales of goods and services within a specific county. It is one of the primary sources of revenue for county governments, funding a wide range of essential services, including education, infrastructure, public safety, public health, and social services. The average rate imposed in Illinois is around 8.2%.
A 2025 WalletHub study found that Illinois has the highest overall taxes in the U.S., with rates more than 50% higher than the national average. The study estimates that a median household in Illinois pays an effective tax rate of 16.58%, or about $13,099 per year.
| Month | Amount Collected | % Change from Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| May | $843,091 | -10.2% |
| April | $938,667 | 42.4% |
| March | $659,047 | -11.7% |
| February | $746,757 | 5.4% |
| January | $708,184 | 50.2% |
| December 2024 | $471,590 | -6.1% |
| November 2024 | $501,964 | -3.2% |
| October 2024 | $518,782 | 11% |
| September 2024 | $467,376 | -5.5% |
| August 2024 | $494,783 | -3.4% |
| July 2024 | $512,442 | -0.1% |
| June 2024 | $512,744 | 11.2% |
| May 2024 | $461,113 | – |
