The mega retailer is closing down its affiliate program in the state of Illinois after Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that would require in-state e-commerce affiliate customer to pay sales tax . Amazon had been lobbying hard against the bill, just as they have in many other states that have passed similar measures. Affiliates are sites that place Amazon ads on themselves and then get a cut of the profit. One assumes that by cutting the program altogether (they say the program may resume if the situation is “rectified”) that the affiliates will put pressure on state government. Amazon wants to control the prices customers pay for products and wants to use the broad affiliate network to bring in sales. States say that not charging sales tax robs them of vital revenue.
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