Union County taxpayers ranked 53rd in total sales taxes paid per county in May, according to Illinois tax records.
In total, residents paid $410,590 in sales taxes during May.
The county ranked 52nd in the Prairie State the month before, with $430,564 spent in sales taxes.
The largest share of sales taxes paid by Union County residents in May came from the Special County Retailers Occupation Tax.
The Special County Retailers Occupation Tax, a crucial revenue stream, is primarily allocated for county governments’ use.
A 2025 WalletHub study found that Illinois has the highest overall taxes in the U.S., with rates more than 50% higher than the national average. The study estimates that a median household in Illinois pays an effective tax rate of 16.58%, or about $13,099 per year.
| Type of Tax | Total Amount Collected | % Change From Previous Month |
|---|---|---|
| Special County Retailers Occupation Tax | $180,290 | -5.9% |
| County School Facility Tax | $144,990 | -5.9% |
| Countywide Sales Tax | $43,581 | -7.1% |
| County Sales Tax | $41,729 | 9.5% |



