As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate
continues
[January 03, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman’s warning that Americans
are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists who
say federal inflation data shows food prices are easing.
In a video posted online, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, opens his
refrigerator and points to everyday grocery items, saying their prices
have “all gone up significantly.”
“What’s weird is some people in our government today are trying to get
you to think that it’s just a figment of your imagination,” Sorensen
said in the video.
Sorensen cites immigration policy as a driver of grocery costs, saying
he supports farmers and an immigrant agricultural workforce to keep
prices down. He did not mention taxes, which can also affect grocery
bills, according to Nicole Huyer, a senior economic analyst at the
Heritage Foundation.
Illinois’ statewide grocery tax ended Jan. 1, 2026, but many local
governments are implementing their own levies, which could continue to
influence prices for shoppers.
Huyer said inflation data tells a more nuanced story than what Sorensen
is presenting.
“I think he’s making more of a political statement, not an empirically
driven one,” Huyer told The Center Square. “Inflation was nearly 9%
then, but inflation numbers are significantly lower now, and that is
reflected in the data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the
Consumer Price Index report in mid-December, which showed CPI at 2.7%
over the last 12 months. That exceeded economists’ expectations, beat
the September numbers, and shows cooling inflation.”
Looking specifically at food prices, the Consumer Price Index breaks
inflation into categories. Overall food inflation measured 2.7%, with
food purchased for home consumption at 1.9% and food away from home,
such as restaurant meals, at 3.7%. All of those categories showed easing
compared to previous months, according to Huyer.
“Those numbers are important, but we also need to consider the
experience of the average American and what they can actually buy,”
Huyer said. “Wage growth has recently outpaced inflation, meaning
paychecks go further, allowing people to buy more groceries and other
essentials. Based on the data, food affordability is certainly coming
back.”
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A carton of large eggs rests on a kitchen stove. Photo: Alan Wooten
/ The Center Square
Still, Huyer acknowledged that many families continue to feel
financial pressure despite improving economic indicators.
“The affordability crisis isn’t something that’s going to
immediately disappear after just 12 months in office,” Huyer said.
“He’s [President Donald Trump] currently taking the right policy
steps to address affordability through deregulation, tax cuts, and
reduced public spending. These efforts are contributing to the GDP
growth and the recent decline in the CPI.”
Gross domestic product growth recently came in at 4.3%, exceeding
economists’ expectations.
“That means potentially more jobs, higher wages, increased
productivity and increased profits for business,” she said.
As Illinois politicians gear up for the 2026 midterm elections,
claims about rising grocery prices are colliding with inflation data
that shows food costs slowing.
“But the fat cats in Washington and the billionaires who got their
bailouts, they don’t care what your fridge looks like,” Sorensen
said in the video. “But I do.”
Huyer is urging Americans to look beyond headlines and campaign
rhetoric when evaluating candidates.
“You have a responsibility to vote based on evidence, not just
emotions,” she said. “Look at the data, know your own wallet, are
groceries cheaper, are wages rising, and what policies are
candidates supporting to make life better? Candidates who back
longer-term measures like deregulation, tax cuts, or reducing
unproductive government spending are supporting policies that can
reduce inflation and let Americans keep more of their hard-earned
money.”
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