Illinois becomes 1st state in Midwest to raise tobacco age to 21
Illinois becomes 1st state in Midwest to raise tobacco age to 21
A new state law prohibits Illinois store owners from selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes to residents under the age of 21.
Cook County judge rules Illinois lawmakers cannot reject their own pay raises
Cook County judge rules Illinois lawmakers cannot reject their own pay raises
A circuit court judge sided with two former Illinois state lawmakers suing the state for back pay on past cost-of-living increases the Illinois General Assembly voted to freeze.
By Vincent Caruso
Doubling Illinois’ gas tax, other tax hikes will go to fund more than $1.4 billion of waste and pork
Doubling Illinois’ gas tax, other tax hikes will go to fund more than $1.4 billion of waste and pork
Lawmakers sold 20 new taxes and fees as necessary to rebuild crumbling roads and bridges and balance the budget. Instead, taxpayers will be funding dog parks, swimming pools, snowmobile paths, a vacant theater and pickleball courts.
By Bill Reveille, Brian Butler
Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes blow up cost of Independence Day celebrations
Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes blow up cost of Independence Day celebrations
Ahead of Independence Day, Illinoisans near the state border exercise their freedom to purchase alcohol in low-tax neighboring states.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois one of few states limiting freedom to choose fireworks on Independence Day
Illinois one of few states limiting freedom to choose fireworks on Independence Day
Illinois residents are denied the legal celebration of at least one freedom on July 4, but take their fireworks dollars to every border state to ignore the law.
Illinoisans face suspended license for texting while driving under new state law
Illinoisans face suspended license for texting while driving under new state law
This summer, drivers in Illinois will face stiffer penalties for texting behind the wheel.
Collinsville drivers honked off at Illinois gas tax hike
Collinsville drivers honked off at Illinois gas tax hike
Protesters on July 1 greeted the doubled gasoline tax in Illinois. They warned that the 19-cent hike will hurt businesses near the state line, and poor people all across the state.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois lawmakers pitch bogus property tax freeze to sell Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
Illinois lawmakers pitch bogus property tax freeze to sell Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
Property tax increases cannot be capped without addressing the costs driving high property taxes. Some lawmakers are ignoring that to draw support for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive tax.
By Vincent Caruso