Cook County cracks down on illegal cigarette sales

Cook County hopes to reclaim millions of dollars in lost revenue in cigarette taxes.

It is part of a crackdown on illegal cigarette sales that began in October.

Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart are behind the new offensive.

In the past three weeks, county revenue investigators teamed with sheriff's police officers to confiscate more than $353,000 in illegal cigarettes, slapping down 120 citations to business owners in nearly $400,000 in fines.

Cook County has a $2-per-pack tobacco tax.

The high cigarette prices has lead to scofflaws and below-board businesses, officials said.

Preckwinkle said the county will operate a tip hotline for residents to notify authorities of illegal cigarette sales: 312-603-6870, Extension 3.

Successful tips will lead to rewards of up to $1,000.

Dart said sheriff’s police also will begin making checks at stores as part of their patrols.

“It’s going to exponentially increase rather quickly,” he said.