Report: Cook County’s soda tax helped reduce purchases Ryan Voyles 5 years ago Cook County’s short-lived soda tax in 2017 helped reduce the purchase of such beverages, according to a new survey by the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.To access this content, you must purchase 1 Year Health News Illinois Subscription or 1 Year Group Subscription - Up to 5 Users, or log in if you are a member.