{"id":2529239,"date":"2026-01-03T17:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T22:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-illinois-ends-grocery-tax-locals-can-replace-food-inflation-debate-continues\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T17:16:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T22:16:02","slug":"as-illinois-ends-grocery-tax-locals-can-replace-food-inflation-debate-continues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/as-illinois-ends-grocery-tax-locals-can-replace-food-inflation-debate-continues\/","title":{"rendered":"As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fas-illinois-ends-grocery-tax-locals-can-replace-food-inflation-debate-continues%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2529239&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent video by Illinois Rep. Eric Sorensen shows him pointing to items in his refrigerator and warning that grocery prices &#8220;have all gone up significantly.&#8221; Economists and analysts pushed back, noting federal inflation data indicate food-price growth is easing: the Consumer Price Index was 2.7% year-over-year in mid-December, with overall food inflation at 2.7%, food at home at 1.9%, and food away from home at 3.7%. Sorensen blamed immigration policy and said he supports an immigrant agricultural workforce to help keep costs down; he did not mention taxes. illinois ended a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/local-taxes-can-increase-now-with-law-eliminating-illinois-grocery-tax-in-2026-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Local taxes can increase now with law eliminating ...\u2019 grocery tax in 2026 - Washington Examiner\">statewide grocery tax<\/a> on Jan. 1, 2026, though many local governments are imposing their own levies, which could still affect shoppers. Nicole Huyer of the Heritage Foundation called Sorensen&#8217;s message more political than empirical, argued wage growth has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >recently outpaced inflation improving affordability<\/a>, and credited policies like deregulation and tax cuts for contributing to GDP growth (reported at 4.3%) and a declining CPI. she also acknowledged that many families continue to feel financial strain and urged voters to weigh data and policy proposals rather than campaign rhetoric as the 2026 midterms approach.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-laws-to-take-effect-in-2026-here-are-key-highlights\/\" title=\"California laws to take effect in 2026; here are key highlights\">food inflation debate continues<\/a><\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2462593\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash;&nbsp;An <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\/\">Illinois<\/a> congressman&rsquo;s warning that Americans are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists who say federal <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/inflation\/\">inflation<\/a> data show <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/food-and-beverage\/\">food<\/a> prices are easing.<\/p>\n<p>In a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepEricSorensen\/status\/2003149030927552567\">video<\/a>&nbsp;posted online, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL) opens his refrigerator and points to everyday grocery items, saying their prices have &ldquo;all gone up significantly.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/4356127\/making-jobs-market-more-human-again\/\">Rising unemployment puts threat of AI competition in stark relief<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/magazine-features\/4362685\/prices-challenge-ahead-trump-republicans-2026\/\">It&rsquo;s the prices, stupid: The big challenge that lies ahead for Trump and the GOP<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4393787\/gas-prices-23-cents-per-gallon-cheaper-than-last-new-years-day\/\">Gas prices: 23 cents per gallon lower than last New Year&rsquo;s Day&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;What&rsquo;s weird is some people in our government today are trying to get you to think that it&rsquo;s just a figment of your imagination,&rdquo; Sorensen said in the video.<\/p>\n<p>Sorensen cites immigration policy as a driver of grocery costs, saying he supports farmers and an immigrant agricultural workforce to keep prices down. He did not mention taxes, which can also affect grocery bills, according to Nicole Huyer, a senior economic analyst at the Heritage Foundation.<\/p>\n<p>Illinois&rsquo; statewide grocery tax ended Jan. 1, 2026, but many local governments are implementing their own levies, which could continue to influence prices for shoppers.<\/p>\n<p>Huyer said inflation data tells a more nuanced story than what Sorensen is presenting.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think he&rsquo;s making more of a political statement, not an empirically driven one,&rdquo; Huyer told The Center Square. &ldquo;Inflation was nearly 9% then, but inflation numbers are significantly lower now, and that is reflected in the data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index report in mid-December, which showed CPI at 2.7% over the last 12 months. That exceeded economists&rsquo; expectations, beat the September numbers, and shows cooling inflation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Looking specifically at food prices, the Consumer Price Index breaks inflation into categories. Overall food inflation measured 2.7%, with food purchased for home consumption at 1.9% and food away from home, such as restaurant meals, at 3.7%. All of those categories showed easing compared to previous months, according to Huyer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Those numbers are important, but we also need to consider the experience of the average American and what they can actually buy,&rdquo; Huyer said. &ldquo;Wage growth has recently outpaced inflation, meaning paychecks go further, allowing people to buy more groceries and other essentials. Based on the data, food affordability is certainly coming back.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Still, Huyer acknowledged that many families continue to feel financial pressure despite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-wins-again-big-beautiful-bill-headed-to-presidents-desk\/\" title=\"Trump Wins Again. Big Beautiful Bill Headed To President&#039;s Desk\">improving economic indicators<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The affordability crisis isn&rsquo;t something that&rsquo;s going to immediately disappear after just 12 months in office,&rdquo; Huyer said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s [President Donald Trump] currently taking the right policy steps to address affordability through deregulation, tax cuts, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-economic-views-of-the-new-u-k-prime-minister\/\" title=\"The Economic Views of the New U.K. Prime Minister\">reduced public spending<\/a>. These efforts are contributing to the GDP growth and the recent decline in the CPI.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Gross domestic product growth recently came in at 4.3%, exceeding economists&rsquo; expectations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That means potentially more jobs, higher wages, increased productivity, and increased profits for business,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>As Illinois politicians gear up for the 2026 midterm elections, claims about rising grocery prices are colliding with inflation data that shows food costs slowing.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But the fat cats in Washington and the billionaires who got their bailouts, they don&rsquo;t care what your fridge looks like,&rdquo; Sorensen said in the video. &ldquo;But I do.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/4400830\/illinois-child-care-worse-hhs-funding-trump\/\">&lsquo;ILLINOIS IS WORSE&rsquo; AS HHS ENFORCES VERIFICATION FOR CHILD CARE FUNDING: TRUMP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Huyer is urging Americans to look beyond headlines and campaign rhetoric when evaluating candidates.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You have a responsibility to vote based on evidence, not just emotions,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Look at the data, know your own wallet, are groceries cheaper, are wages rising, and what policies are candidates supporting to make life better? Candidates who back longer-term measures like deregulation, tax cuts, or reducing unproductive government spending are supporting policies that can reduce inflation and let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Illinois grocery debate: prices vs. CPI data<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2529240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25262471938723.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[70077,37317,6413,37198,38341],"class_list":["post-2529239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-food-inflation","tag-grocery-tax","tag-illinois","tag-local-government","tag-tax-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP25262471938723.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2529239"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2529243,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2529239\/revisions\/2529243"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2529240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2529239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2529239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2529239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}