Federal tax relief was championed so small businesses could better deal with COVID-19 economic impacts. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to keep $1 billion in state taxes from Illinois small businesses.
Revised figures show 2020 job losses were worse for Black Illinoisans than originally thought. The worst year of job losses in state history disproportionately affected minority Illinoisans.
The Bourbonnais Education Association walked out, gaining 10.25% over 3 years rather than the 9.5% the district offered before the strike. Students lost a week of school.
Illinois House members scheduled public hearings before they try to redraw the maps showing who serves what area in Congress and the Statehouse. How they can legally create a map in June when Census data will not be out until September remains a question.
A third moving company ranked Illinois as a prime place to abandon during 2020. State leaders can control the exodus if they reform spending.
Illinois spent nearly four times faster than Bridgeview incomes grew during the past decade. A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.
New COVID-19 guidance from Illinois health and education departments allows schools to reduce social distancing to three feet. But the Chicago Teachers Union intends to ‘vigorously’ keep a six-foot distance.
President Joe Biden on Friday is expected to sign the COVID-19 stimulus bill, with direct payments to most Illinoisans and a significant boost to local and state governments. Illinois can use this opportunity to fix state finances.
Illinois households pay nearly $9,500 on average in state and local taxes, which at 15% of their income is the nation’s highest. WalletHub finds gasoline taxes pushed Illinois to No. 1.
“Stop, in the name of the Illinois General Assembly!”
State lawmakers have significantly abused and underfunded their own pension system. Ending it would be a plus, but only a constitutional amendment will stop pension debt from swallowing Illinois.