The Naperville City Council reversed course Tuesday on how it would replace the lost income from the soon-to-be-defunct state grocery tax, abandoning plans to increase the city’s home rule tax in favor of a local 1% grocery tax.

Councilman Benny White, who previously supported increasing the home rule sales tax to compensate for the $6.5 million loss in state grocery tax money, said he had a change of heart after concluding a hike in the sales tax would place a heavier burden on local business owners and those struggling to afford items like diapers and basic cleaning supplies.

“In my opinion, the grocery tax, by keeping it where it is … I think it doesn’t affect our residents,” White said. “I think they’re used to paying that particular tax so to have our businesses pick up the slack, I

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