North Cook News

Amanda Biela doesn't agree with Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago) on many things -- the recent 32 percent state income tax, for example -- but she was glad to see him relent recently and criticize Cook County's sugary beverages tax after significant public backlash.

"I'd like to congratulate my opponent John D'Amico for seeing that soda tax is an awful tax,” Biela, who has announced her candidacy for the House, said in a statement. “Good for him... . Of course, this is a tax that he didn't speak out against or seemingly have any problem with until it had already passed and he realized there was considerable constituent backlash against it. Additionally, he had no problem voting for a 32 percent increase in state income tax just this past July.”

D’Amico is calling for closing corporate tax loopholes and ensuring that ultra-wealthy residents receive honest tax bills rather than tax breaks. She also is calling for the repeal of the penny-per-ounce tax, which she said increases the average price of a 2-liter soda by 58 percent and a jug of orange juice by 24 percent.

Amanda Biela | Facebook

“Yes, the soda tax is ‘unfair to small businesses and middle-class families’ as D'Amico has stated, but what is even worse for those same families is a massive income tax increase,” Biela said in her statement. “As bad as the soda tax is (and it's bad) the income tax that D'Amico voted for has an even greater negative impact, dollar for dollar, on all Illinoisans!"