By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News

(CHICAGO)  A Democratic member of the Cook County board is blasting fellow Democrat, Board President Toni Preckwinkle, of  being “intellectual dishonest” by threatening to lay off county workers if the county beverage tax is struck down by the courts.

Richard Boykin told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” that the tax on sweetened beverages, which a Cook County judge has temporarily blocked, is not necessary.

“Look I think that the Board President is actually being intellectually dishonest with the people of Cook County.  I think these are bullying tactics to actually influence the justice system and the judge to actually lift the TRO and allow this beverage tax to go into effect.”

The judge has issued a temporary restraining order stopping the tax until the next court hearing on July 21st.    Boykin voted against the new tax which would tack on an extra penny per ounce of any drink sweetened with sugar or a substitute sold in Cook County.   It is expected to raise $67.5 million in new revenue by Nov. 30, according to county estimates.

Preckwinkle says layoff notices could go out next week to at least 1,100 workers if  a judge does not reinstate the tax.

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