The Cigar Association of America is honoring two Illinois lawmakers for their work on a state cigar tax cap signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker.
State Sen. Cristina Castro and state Rep. Bob Rita, both Democrats, will receive the CAA’s inaugural Leadership in Commerce Award. The legislation caps the state tax on premium cigars at 75 cents through 2029.
“Sen. Castro and Rep. Rita went above and beyond to enact this cap,” CAA President Scott Pearce said in a press release. “We are pleased to honor them with our inaugural Leadership in Commerce Award.”
Castro called the bill the result of “thoughtful collaboration with CAA stakeholders and advocates who brought important perspectives to the table.”
Rita, of the 28th District, said passing the cap “was no easy task” and credited CAA’s efforts in the General Assembly.
Additional award recipients will be announced in the coming weeks.
