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Supporters of the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax are Pushing Back Against "Big Soda"
As Cook County's sweetened beverage tax is slated to go into effect on July 1st, the soda industry is investing heavily in efforts to repeal the tax or delay its implementation. The Cook County commissioners who voted in favor of this measure are being targeted with ads, calls and emails as part of a "Can the Tax" campaign.
When the County Board of Commissioners meets on June 28th,
it is anticipated that there could be a repeal bill filed and potentially voted on that day. Leading up to this date, the Beverage Association and retailers will be making strong efforts to halt the tax.
The County sweetened beverage tax will generate millions of dollars to support health care and public safety in Cook County; the County is making new investments into community health and prevention efforts through grants to community-based organizations because of the tax. Hundreds of County jobs were also saved in advance of new revenue.
The Cook County beverage tax is a healthy source of revenue which, when it is successful, can potentially pave the way to support for the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Act at the state level.
You can help ensure that the County Board of Commissioners remains steadfast and implements the Sweetened Beverage Tax on schedule by contacting your local commissioner to voice your support. Please use the link below.
Soda Taxes in the News:
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Chicago Unveils Vision Zero Action Plan
After months of planning, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and multiple City agencies formally introduced the Chicago's Vision Zero Action Plan on Monday, June 12. The Vision Zero initiative is a collaborative, multi-agency effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and other road users to zero by 2026. The plan includes benchmarks for reducing deaths from traffic crashes by 20% and reducing serious injuries from traffic crashes 35% by 2020.
Chicago's Vision Zero initiative is driven by public health and safety concerns and specifically addresses health equity in the Action Plan, citing that "...data show traffic crashes affect Chicago communities unequally. Chicagoans who live in areas of High Economic Hardship have increased risk of being in a severe crash."
Research has highlighted that the decline of children walking and biking to school coincided with the rise of the childhood obesity epidemic. The importance of designing safe streets and sidewalks to is critical to building communities that enable and encourage physical activity. Safe environments can help kids be active where they live, learn and play.
The Vision Zero Action Plan Goals include:
- Goal 1: Invest additional resources in communities that are most affected by severe traffic crashes.
- Goal 2: Work to change behaviors and perceptions to build a citywide culture of safety.
- Goal 3: Make streets safer for all users.
- Goal 4: Encourage and implement policies, training, and technologies that create safer vehicles and professional drivers.
"Traffic crashes are not only a transportation concern, but a public health issue," Commissioner of Public Health Julie Morita, M.D. said. "Vision Zero builds on our Healthy Chicago 2.0 plan to invest in our most affected neighborhoods. CDPH is committed to working with our City and community partners to ensure that our transportation systems guarantee the safety of motorists and pedestrians which will ultimately save lives."
Read more about the release of the action plan below.
City Releases Vision Zero Plan Aimed at Preventing Roadway Deaths, Injuries - Chicago Tribune
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Chicago's Vision Zero Action Plan is introduced by City leaders including CDPH Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita (far left), Mayor Rahm Emanuel (Center) and CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld. |
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Tomorrow: CLOCC's Summer Quarterly Meeting, "Business Sector Approaches to Childhood Obesity Prevention"
Join us for CLOCC's Summer Quarterly  Meeting on Wednesday, June 14th, at The Conference Center - One North Wacker. The meeting will focus on Business Sector Approaches to Obesity Prevention. CLOCC Interest Groups will meet from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Visit CLOCC.net
to learn more about the Consortium's focus areas and interest groups.
The main session, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, will feature a keynote presentation from Jennifer Harris, PhD, Director of Marketing Initiatives at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity and Associate Professor in Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut.
The Summer Quarterly Meeting will also feature regional panelists from local businesses that have incorporated a health focus into their corporate culture, tentatively including SRAM, Conagra Brands, Erie Neighborhood House and the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA).
Date: Wednesday, June 14th
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Conference Center
One North Wacker, 2nd Floor,
Chicago, IL, 60606
If the online registration window has expired, walkups will be accommodated. Contact LaShaun Hayes with questions.
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CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE NEWS
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FUNDING & RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES
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- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has released a new funding opportunity announcement, Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative. The initiative "will seek to reduce significant health disparities impacting minorities and disadvantaged populations through the implementation of evidence-based strategies with the greatest potential for impact." The deadline is July 31.
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T
he Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) is a nationally recognized leader for community-based obesity prevention. We support, coordinate, and unite partners to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and families. Our multi-sector approach emerged in Chicago and can be adapted for use anywhere.
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