The state of Illinois appears to have given Missouri communities along our eastern border an economic boost. The legislature in Illinois has increased the cigarette taxes there by a dollar a pack, putting the Illinois cigarette tax at a $1.98. Missouri’s cigarette tax remains the lowest in the nation at 17 cents a pack. How much could Missouri profit from the Illniois increase? The Illinois Association of Convenience Stores expects cigarette sales in Illinois to drop by 18 million packs a year.