‘The price of buying everything is ridiculous’: Halloween candy costs hit Illinois families

Dan Fox headed to Costco to get ready for Halloween.Karen and Dan Fox live on Douglas Street in Elgin, which is tree-lined, with large historic homes. The Foxes expect to see 1,500 trick-or-treaters, so Dan bought accordingly.“Last year, we ran out at 1,400 pieces of candy,” Karen said.They go with the good stuff: fun-sized Butterfingers, M Ms, Twix and Snickers. Dan also happens to have last year’s receipt. For 10 large, 150-piece bags of candy, he spent $215. This year, they spent $268 for the same amount, a 22% increase. Price increases didn’t change how much candy they bought. They know that with parents in tow, they could see 3,000 people in their street on Saturday.“When you spend that kind of money for trick-or-treating ... I don’t eat this candy. This is for the kids,” Karen said.While those in neighborhoods that draw big crowds for trick-or-treating may have maintained their buying habits, they might be in the minority.Halloween candy sales were down 6.7% in the month ending O