Springfield (AP) -- New athletic
shoes could cost 25 cents more in Illinois.
State Rep. Will Davis from the Chicago
suburb of Hazel Crest wants the new tax to pay for a youth job preparation
program. Lee Enterprises newspapers reports (http://bit.ly/Yx3ok0) the
Democratic lawmaker wants to raise about $3 million and most consumers wouldn't
notice it. The 25 cents per pair of athletic shoes would go to the state's
YouthBuild programs.
Davis says he sees it
"as a uniquely creative way of helping youth."
There is opposition to the plan. The Illinois Retail Merchants
Association says it will fight the proposal because it creates paperwork for
store owners.
The
legislation is House Bill 978.
