By Bill Cameron, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO) A penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages has been proposed by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle as part of her 2017 budget proposal.

Only one Republican on the County Board showed up to hear Preckwinkle propose yet another tax. The one who did, Pete Sylvestri of Elmwood Park, was not enthralled.

“I think it’s a further reduction in the attractiveness of Cook County as a business center,” Sylvestri said. “I don’t know how many people will stop drinking these types of products or where they move on to a jurisdiction where there is no tax to buy it in bulk.”

But Preckwinkle said she needs the sugary drink tax in part to pay for programs to combat street violence as Springfield remains deadlocked on a state budget. Will it pass? Probably.

@ 2016 WLS-AM News