Many residents of Cook County are waiting eagerly to find out how the penny-per-ounce beverage tax will unfold and concerns are being voiced due to the negative impact similar taxes have had on other cities.

In a Chicago Tribune opinion piece, a Cook County resident is warning, “If the soda tax were to take effect, people would lose their jobs at grocery stores, distribution centers, and within the food and beverage industry.” As we’ve seen in cities like Philadelphia, these taxes have put businesses and workers under serious burdens and it could happen in Cook County as well.

When will politicians listen to the concerns of their constituents and learn from their mistakes? Residents in Cook County deserve better from their elected officials than a burdensome tax that kills jobs and hurt local businesses. There are simply no upsides to these taxes.