Fact check: Illinois marijuana revenue $600M below potential
Fact check: Illinois marijuana revenue $600M below potential
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting how much marijuana revenue Illinois received in 2021. But high taxes and regulatory blunders have kept Illinois weed between $200 million and $600 million shy of its potential.
By Dylan Sharkey
Deb Cohorst
Deb Cohorst
“With inflation out of control and the current state of Illinois debt liabilities, this amendment would be devastating to not only my family but any family."
Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line
Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line
Gov. J.B. Pritzker added $650 million in taxes and fee hikes for small businesses in his last budget. Voters will decide Nov. 8 if Illinois’ business climate will get tougher, yet, through Amendment 1.
Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time
Pritzker gives himself emergency COVID powers for 32nd time
Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared Illinois a disaster zone for the 32nd time. When this declaration ends, he will have given himself emergency powers for 895 days – more than two-thirds of his term.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic
Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.
By Bryce Hill
Highest inflation in 40 years deals Illinoisans $2,900 pay cut
Highest inflation in 40 years deals Illinoisans $2,900 pay cut
Wages have failed to keep up with inflation, dropping Illinoisans’ purchasing power by $2,900 on average.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker’s gas tax hike takes $277 from average Illinoisan
Pritzker’s gas tax hike takes $277 from average Illinoisan
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted a six-month delay in the next automatic gas tax hike as “tax relief.” But since he assumed office, the gas tax he raised has taken an extra $277 from every person in Illinois.
By Perry Zhao
Chicago aldermen fail to repeal Lightfoot’s $80-million speed camera policy
Chicago aldermen fail to repeal Lightfoot’s $80-million speed camera policy
Chicago aldermen lacked the votes to repeal Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s lower speed camera ticketing threshold responsible for nearly $80 million in fines.
By Patrick Andriesen
Report: Illinois likely to see high public pension debt go higher
Report: Illinois likely to see high public pension debt go higher
Forecasts predict Illinois public pension debt will grow despite the funds having one of their best investment years ever in 2021.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago speed cameras ticket 3.8 million drivers since Lightfoot cut limits
Chicago speed cameras ticket 3.8 million drivers since Lightfoot cut limits
Chicago’s speed cameras issued 3.8 million tickets since Mayor Lori Lightfoot lowered the threshold before a citation is written. That is like everyone in Chicago getting 1.4 tickets in 16 months.
By Patrick Andriesen
Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023
Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to tie property taxes to inflation in 2020 is coming back to bite taxpayers.
By Dylan Sharkey