Andrew S. Chesney, Illinois State Senator for 45th District | Illinois General Assembly
Andrew S. Chesney, Illinois State Senator for 45th District | Illinois General Assembly
Illinois lawmakers are considering a new $1.50 delivery tax, which some have called the “Amazon Tax,” that would apply to most packages and food orders delivered across the state. The proposal, backed by legislative Democrats, is intended to address a $770 million funding shortfall in the Chicago area public transit system, including the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).
Supporters of the measure say it is necessary to stabilize public transportation finances. However, critics argue that it places an unfair burden on residents who do not use Chicago’s transit services.
“Legislative Democrats are calling it a necessary step to address massive debt within the Chicago area public transit system, but make no mistake, this is not about shared sacrifice or responsible budgeting. This is about bailing out Chicago’s broken public transit system by squeezing working families across the entire state,” said Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport).
The proposed tax would be applied statewide to deliveries from companies such as Amazon, DoorDash, Instacart, Walmart, and local businesses. While some essentials like unprepared food or medication would be exempt, prepared foods and other items would still incur the fee.
“It’s a regressive and confusing tax that penalizes working families, and it would be collected statewide,” Chesney said.
Chesney argues that low- and middle-income families would be most affected by the new tax. He also points out that certain exemptions—such as for bicycle deliveries—would benefit areas of Chicago where bike delivery is common while leaving rural and suburban residents with fewer alternatives.
“This isn’t just bad policy, it’s targeted taxation,” he said.
Chesney questioned why taxpayers in areas far from Chicago should subsidize a service they do not use or control. “Why should taxpayers in Freeport, Rockton, Galena, Carbondale, or Quincy be forced to subsidize the Chicago Transit Authority when they don’t have access to those services and never voted for the leadership that ran them into the ground?” he asked.
He also criticized what he described as a lack of debate and accountability under one-party rule in Springfield: “There’s no real debate, no accountability, and no concern for how it affects downstate or suburban residents.”
Chesney called for fiscal discipline and local control instead of new taxes: “Real reform starts with fiscal discipline, local control, and user accountability, not new taxes on people who had nothing to do with creating the problem.”
Currently, the bill has passed only one chamber of the General Assembly but remains active. Chesney said he will continue to oppose its passage: “We can expect the transit funding bill to return before the end of this year, and I will be a leading voice of opposition to this terrible proposal.”
Chesney was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois’ 45th Senate District in 2023 after replacing Brian Stewart.
“Illinois doesn’t need another tax. It needs leadership, accountability, and a serious conversation about how to deliver public services without bankrupting the people who pay the bills,” Chesney concluded.