Director David Harris | Illinois Department of Revenue
Director David Harris | Illinois Department of Revenue
In total, residents paid approximately $16.6 million in sales taxes during that year.
DeKalb ranked 65th in the Prairie State the year before, with just under $15.3 million spent in sales taxes.
The largest share of taxes paid by the residents in 2024 came from Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax.
In Illinois, the Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax applies to a wide range of general merchandise. It operates similarly to the state sales tax but may exclude certain items, such as vehicles and specific foods, drugs, and medical appliances that require state agency titling or registration. This tax can be set in small increments without a maximum limit, though its implementation is optional, and not all municipalities choose to adopt it. The revenue generated is intended for local services and infrastructure needs.
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.
Sales Taxes Collected in DeKalb in 2024
| Type of Tax | Amount Collected in Year | % Change From Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Home Rule Sales Tax | $9,175,351 | 8% |
| Municipal Sales Tax | $7,447,041 | 10.4% |
| Municipal Automobile Renting Tax | $24,054 | -0.5% |
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