Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s
Cash-strapped Illinois counties chase down unpaid tickets from 1980s
Illinois counties are hiring debt collectors to track down people who may owe money for older, unpaid traffic tickets. One woman accused of owing money would have been just 14 when the ticket was issued.
Illinois imposing car trade-in tax on Jan. 1; Dealers call it double taxation
Illinois imposing car trade-in tax on Jan. 1; Dealers call it double taxation
The state collects no sales tax on trade-in value, but that changes next year. Car dealers call the $60 million to be collected ‘double taxation’ because trade-ins were taxed when purchased.
Pritzker signs good government bill to show taxpayers how much of their property taxes go to developers
Pritzker signs good government bill to show taxpayers how much of their property taxes go to developers
Illinoisans will soon see their property tax bills listing tax increment financing districts and the amounts the districts are absorbing. Debate about the cost versus benefit should follow.
651 new Illinois public pensioners average $1.3M in estimated retirement benefits
651 new Illinois public pensioners average $1.3M in estimated retirement benefits
Newly retired government workers’ lifetime pension benefits will far exceed what they contributed toward their own retirements
By Adam Schuster
Lightfoot ethics reforms give more teeth to city watchdog, limit outside employment for aldermen
Lightfoot ethics reforms give more teeth to city watchdog, limit outside employment for aldermen
Chicago aldermen will be held to higher ethical standards after approving the new mayor’s proposals to repair Chicago’s well-earned reputation for corruption.
Illinois pension buyout program delivers just 3% of projected savings
Illinois pension buyout program delivers just 3% of projected savings
A plan that allowed some pension enrollees to cash in early on their earned retirement benefits in exchange for curbing future benefits has so far generated only 3% of its expected savings.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises
Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises
A proposal in the Illinois House would allow lawmakers to forgo their annual cost-of-living increase in base salary. The move comes after former lawmakers sued for back pay.
By Vincent Caruso
Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.
Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.
Data from the American Petroleum Institute confirms doubling Illinois’ motor fuel tax will bring total taxes paid at the pump to third highest in the nation, up from 10th highest a year earlier.
By Adam Schuster
Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy
Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy
The elections scheduled for November 2020 are already injecting uncertainty into the economy, and the progressive income tax ballot question will make matters worse.
By Orphe Divounguy, Chena Underhill
As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA
As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA
Tackling Illinois corruption isn’t just a moral imperative. It’s a financial necessity.
By Austin Berg
Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant
Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant
Further details are emerging in the wake of May raids on longtime allies of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
By Austin Berg
Lightfoot proposes sweeping changes to Chicago’s heavy-handed ticketing, towing scheme
Lightfoot proposes sweeping changes to Chicago’s heavy-handed ticketing, towing scheme
The Chicago mayor unveiled plans to reform the city’s controversial system of handling vehicle violations, which has buried thousands of low-income residents in debt, taken their cars and licenses.
By Vincent Caruso