Illinois’ wagering tax saga added another chapter Monday when a group of state legislators filed HB 4171, essentially telling Chicago’s mayor and city council to back off of taxing betting within the city limits. The bill would prohibit local jurisdictions from taxing, regulating, or imposing fees on gambling.
State Rep. Daniel Didech filed the bill Monday, days after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a 10.25% tax on digital sports betting within the city limits. The proposal was part of Johnson’s 2026 budget overview, which estimates such a tax would generate $26 million. The overall budget is $16.6 billion and there is a $1.15 billion deficit.
The Chicago City Council is considering adding a per-wager tax on digital sports betting, but the proposal has not progressed past the discussion stage.
