Important Tax Information
During the spring legislative session in 2025, the Illinois General Assembly passed a tax increase to help fund mass transit.
Effective August 1, 2026, the NITA (formerly the Regional Transportation Authority) occupation and use tax rate will increase by 0.25% in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.
This tax applies to:
- General merchandise
- Qualifying groceries
- Qualifying drugs and medical appliances
- Items that must be titled or registered in Illinois
- Medical and adult use cannabis
- Aviation fuel
NITA rates are added to the statewide rate (6.25% or 1.00%) plus any local taxes collected by IDOR.
To find your updated rate, use the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder at mytax.illinois.gov and select rates for August 2026.
Be sure to update your cash register or software so you are collecting the correct rate starting August 1, 2026. If you use software to prepare your forms, check with your vendor for updates.
Local
I would like to express my gratitude to the Mayor and City Manager of the City of Naperville and to the members of the city council for agreeing to participate in our “Coffee & Conversations” series.
We are holding small group meetings with city leaders to strengthen our relationships with policy makers. Our first event was held on Monday, July 27 and featured Ian Holzhauer and Asfaq Syed.
Please make every effort to register for and attend our upcoming sessions.
Monday, August 10, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Benny White & Mary Gibson
Monday, August 17, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Pat Kelly & Nate Wilson
Monday, August 31, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Josh McBroom & Supna Jain
Monday, September 21, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Mayor Scott Wehrli & City Manager Doug Krieger
State
My sincere thanks to Sen Seth Lewis, Sen Linda Holmes, and Sen Laura Ellman for participating in our End of Session event! Don’t miss our second “End of Session Wrap-up” featuring more of our local elected officials on August 18th from 3:00-5:00 PM at the NACC offices. You will have an opportunity to hear directly from our lawmakers as they share their thoughts about the recently-concluded spring legislative session. Register today!
This month we continue with my analysis of the Legislative Session. Here is a list of more issues that were addressed:
Energy
Major legislation focused on:
- Expanding battery storage and grid reliability
- Renewable energy development
- Energy storage integration
- Solar program funding
- Clarifying renewable energy siting appeals
- New virtual power plant programs
- Updates to net metering rules
- Additional prevailing wage requirements on certain renewable energy projects
The Chamber generally supported efforts to improve grid reliability while emphasizing affordable energy for employers.
Transportation
One of the biggest accomplishments was comprehensive transit reform.
Highlights include:
- Creation of a new regional transit governance structure
- Long-term transit funding reforms
- Unified fare payment system
- Increased public safety initiatives
- Continued investment in CTA, Metra, Pace, and downstate transit
- Transit infrastructure improvements
These changes are intended to modernize northeastern Illinois transit while stabilizing long-term funding.
The Chamber continued advocating for:
- Workforce development
- Reducing unnecessary regulations
- Employer flexibility
- Expanding skilled labor pipelines
Business groups remained focused on balancing employee protections with maintaining a competitive hiring environment.
Technology & AI
Technology policy received increased attention, including:
- Artificial intelligence governance
- Children’s online safety
- Digital privacy
- Regulation of online platforms
The Chamber emphasized innovation while encouraging regulatory certainty rather than overly restrictive mandates.
Healthcare
Healthcare legislation included:
- Expanded Medicaid coverage for several conditions and services
- Additional maternal health benefits
- Mental health parity updates
- Hospital reimbursement changes
- New telehealth and remote monitoring provisions
- Reentry healthcare services for formerly incarcerated individuals
Much of the legislation focused on improving access to care while adjusting reimbursement systems.
Economic Development
The Chamber viewed several economic development initiatives positively:
- Continued tax incentives
- Innovation incentives
- Capital investment support
- Manufacturing competitiveness
- Research incentives
These provisions were designed to attract and retain employers despite concerns over other tax increases.
Federal
Trade – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and BusinessEurope, representing businesses that employ millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic, welcome the implementation of the U.S.-EU Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. At a time of significant geopolitical headwinds, this agreement provides the transatlantic business community with greater predictability and planning certainty. It should serve as a platform to expand our $9.8 trillion commercial relationship, addressing outstanding barriers to trade and investment and pursuing new opportunities for collaboration.
BUILD America 250 Act – NACC has signed onto a US Chamber letter in support of the BUILD America 250 Act – This important legislation would provide nearly $500 billion in funding for the nation’s road, bridge, and highway programs, while also taking meaningful steps to provide stable funding for the Highway Trust Fund. The BUILD America 250 Act was overwhelmingly approved with bipartisan support in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in late-May. It now must be taken up by the full House of Representatives. Given the limited number of legislative days remaining, it is imperative that the business community send a message of support to members of Congress and urge them to complete work on this legislation this year.
EXIM Reauthorization – NACC has also signed onto a US Chamber letter urging Congress to pass a robust, long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). With EXIM’s authorization scheduled to expire this year, it is critical that lawmakers send a strong an unambiguous signal to global customers and competitors alike by ensuring this important tool remains available and continue to provide American companies the stability needed to plan, invest, and compete with confidence. At a time of intensifying global competition, Congress has the opportunity to strengthen American competitiveness, support U.S. workers, and reaffirm America’s economic leadership through a long-term and robust reauthorization of EXIM.