Crain’s Chicago Business is the latest news publication to endorse Commissioner Peraica’s proposal to fully repeal the sales tax increase as soon as possible. They favor Peraica’s proposal over Todd Stroger’s plan for a miniscule .25 rate reduction – and over the proposal by some commissioners to phase in a rollback of the tax hike over four years.

Crains’ editorial board writes:

But this is no time for political half-measures. Cook County needs real tax relief now.

Mr. Stroger’s increase amounted to a major anti-stimulus measure for a county economy battered by the worst recession in 25 years. Chicagoans now pay the highest sales taxes in the country, giving them even more incentive to do their shopping elsewhere.

There’s no justification for holding off on a complete repeal of the hike. County government didn’t need the increase in the first place. The $400 million it raised far exceeded the amount necessary to close a shortfall in the county budget.