Cook County State’s Attorney Secures Over $266 Million in Back Taxes from National Retailer

CHICAGO –   The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) secured a $266 million award against Sam’s Club for failure to pay taxes on the sale of cigarettes as required under the County’s Tobacco Tax Ordinance.  The uncollected taxes cover a 7-year period between 2009 and 2016.    

“I am extremely proud of the work of the dedicated Assistant State’s Attorneys in our Civil Actions Bureau who fought hard to achieve this unprecedented recovery, which will support and fund the County’s continued efforts to serve citizens across Cook County,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “Although there is still a possibility for an appeal, we are confident that the judge reached the correct result in this matter, and we look forward to prevailing on behalf of the residents we serve.”   

In 2019, CCSAO initiated the lawsuit after Sam’s Club failed to comply with the County’s ordinance by failing to collect and remit taxes on sales of cigarettes to retailers who resold the cigarettes outside of Cook County.