(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Illinois ranks fifth in the nation, when you examine how much each state has paid in tariffs under President Trump. The National Taxpayers Union Foundation‘s study reports Illinois’ share is $17 billion – or $3,300 per household.

“To some extent, it’s a hidden tax,” says Bryan Riley, director of the organization’s Free Trade Initiative. “It doesn’t show up on the bill at the grocery store. The tax we have on tomatoes or sugar is hidden in the price.”

In a way, Riley says, the tariffs have backfired, at least partly because they have not been reciprocal. “The idea that some appeared to have is the tariffs were going to be a magic bullet for our economy. The opposite seems to be true. Our U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer, recently said, look, this is not going to unleash economic Armageddon on our economy. I guess that’s something, but that doesn’t seem to be an ambitious goal; that doesn’t mean that they’re not costly.”

For those wondering how the President can simply direct by command how the tariffs will work, Riley says you are correct to wonder. He says it’s Congress’ job, a job the legislative branch apparently has ceded to the President.