Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession
Illinois personal income growth 2nd lowest in U.S. since Great Recession
Only Mississippi has fared worse than Illinois in personal income growth since the Great Recession hit at the end of 2007. Analysis shows state income taxes matter.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois cannabis taxes among nation’s highest, could keep black market thriving
Illinois cannabis taxes among nation’s highest, could keep black market thriving
Springfield lawmakers have yet to learn the lesson that money walks. And it’s not just to other states. Sometimes, it walks past the legal dispensary with a 40% tax rate and into a dealer’s house.
By Austin Berg
Madigan confidant used state worker’s silence on rape to prove political loyalty
Madigan confidant used state worker’s silence on rape to prove political loyalty
Silence on a rape and about ghost workers were evidence of political loyalty that should save a state worker facing discipline, according to an email uncovered in an open records request.
By Brad Weisenstein
Lightfoot pushes Chicago city council to loosen food truck restrictions
Lightfoot pushes Chicago city council to loosen food truck restrictions
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is sponsoring a city ordinance allowing food trucks and other mobile entrepreneurs to operate with more freedom on Chicago’s streets.
Illinois comptroller calls red-light cameras ‘broken and morally corrupt’
Illinois comptroller calls red-light cameras ‘broken and morally corrupt’
Traffic cameras collected more than $1 billion from drivers since 2008, but corruption probes are prompting state comptroller to stop acting as ticket collection agency.
Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs
Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs
Massive increases in public safety pension contributions have failed to keep Oak Lawn’s credit from being downgraded to junk status. The Chicago suburb’s leaders are fighting cuts and tax increases, which are inevitable without pension reform in Springfield.
By Brad Weisenstein
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
New data shows Illinois since 2010 lost up to $32 billion in income from people moving out. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan would hike rates on residents most likely to leave the state, on net.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Indiana is building far more single-family homes than Illinois
Indiana is building far more single-family homes than Illinois
The historic change comes as skyrocketing property tax bills eat into Illinois homeowners’ bottom line.
By Austin Berg
Illinois license plate sticker among most expensive in the nation
Illinois license plate sticker among most expensive in the nation
Illinoisans will be paying among the nation’s highest vehicle registration fees as part of a $45 billion infrastructure proposal pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly.
What you need to know about marijuana legalization in Illinois
What you need to know about marijuana legalization in Illinois
Answers to frequently asked questions about Illinois’ cannabis legalization law.
By Austin Berg