Cook County shoppers who are in the habit of checking their receipts are in store for a shock this year. That’s because the county just approved a sales tax increase. The dourest faces could be in Chicago, where the sales tax will top out at 10.25 percent—one of the highest in the country. We sent reporter Shawn Allee to get opinions at a retail strip on Chicago’s South Side.

The corner of 59th street and Western Avenue is as good a place as any to see what Chicago shoppers think about the looming sales tax hike. There’re used car lots, clothing stores, and a furniture shop just on this block. The tax hike won’t arrive until November, but Ruth Johnson says she’s already bracing for it.

JOHNSON: I think it’s stupid. I mean the economy’s down, people are losing their homes. The gas rates are high, people can’t even make it now, let alone pay their high taxes.

ALLEE: What sort of things do you figure you’re going to be buying that will be affected by the sales tax increase?

JOHNSON: Everything, you know. The economy’s down so low, you can’t even buy anything.

This comes after Johnson left a furniture store - without a lamp she had her eyes on. Some shoppers aren’t so worried about their own finances, but give the tax increase a thumbs down anyway.

I catch realtor Phillipe Jasso waiting for a bus.

ALLEE: Were you watching the news about the county increasing the sales tax?

JASSO: Yes, I’ve been following the process of it.

ALLEE: What did you think when they finally voted it through?

JASSO: Well, it’s really discouraging to be in Chicago. I don’t think this is the right way. There’s a lot of bureaucracy in the county. It wastes a lot of money. It’s just another nail in the coffin.

ALLEE: Have a good bus ride.

JASSO: Thank you.

ALLEE: Given the amount of small shops that are on this stretch of Western Avenue, it makes sense that people would balk at a sales tax increase, since they’re going to be spending a lot of their money here. But there are a few people who consider the idea of raising the sales tax in Cook County worth it. One of them’s Victor Hawkins.

HAWKINS: I am a little for it for the simple reason, that it’s for the help the needy for the county hospital and I think the county hospital has a bunch of great physicians there. There’s a lot of people who can’t afford to go to the doctor and can’t pay even three dollars for medicine.

Hawkins says he’s a little two-sided on the sales tax increase, but he says if it helps the cause, so be it.

I’m Shawn Allee, Chicago Public Radio.