DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a victory for brick-and-mortar retailers, Walgreen Co. has applauded Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn for signing into law a bill that expands application of the state’s sales tax.
The drug store chain said late Thursday that Quinn signed House Bill 3659, the Main Street Fairness Act, which will require major online retailers to collect the state’s 6.25% sales tax on all purchases made by Illinois residents.
Before the legislation, Illinois retailers were left at a competitive disadvantage, since consumers often could buy online without having to pay sales tax, while the state lost millions of dollars in tax revenue annually, according to Walgreens.
"Gov. Quinn has ensured that all Illinois retailers are operating on a level playing field with out-of-state online competitors," Mark Wagner, president of community managment at Walgreens, said in a statement. "Illinois retailers are the backbone of the state’s economy and are vital components of Illinois communities. By signing H.B. 3659, Gov. Quinn has strengthened the Illinois retail industry and the communities we serve every day."
Walgreens has more than 570 stores in Illinois and nearly 7,700 stores overall.
