Illinois sees stagnant jobs growth, declining labor force in January
Illinois sees stagnant jobs growth, declining labor force in January
Despite healthy jobs growth nationally, Illinoisans are desperate for work.
Off the rails: Estimated cost for Lake Forest Amtrak stop has grown by more than 400 percent
Off the rails: Estimated cost for Lake Forest Amtrak stop has grown by more than 400 percent
Efforts to add an Amtrak train stop in Lake Forest have been plagued by a series of setbacks for a project now estimated to cost more than $13.4 million.
Screwed by “FRIENDLY” progressive tax
Screwed by “FRIENDLY” progressive tax
Christine Gregory
Christine Gregory
“We are losing people at a ridiculous rate. That hurts us because then you may have some people who are here who have the skill set to fill jobs, but if half of those people have left the area then you have trouble maintaining that business here because then you don’t have enough people to...
Collinsville, Granite City sales taxes would rival Chicago’s under tax hike referendum
Collinsville, Granite City sales taxes would rival Chicago’s under tax hike referendum
Madison County voters have twice turned down a proposed sales-tax hike to fund school facilities projects, but the proposal will appear again on March primary ballots. If approved, shoppers in Collinsville and Granite City would see some of the highest sales tax rates in the country.
Wheeling approves $7M handout to developer
Wheeling approves $7M handout to developer
Despite residents seeing some of the highest property tax bills in the state, the Wheeling Board of Trustees approved a preliminary agreement giving a developer nearly $7 million to build apartments and retail space in the village.
Sonne DeVries & Dan Sheldon
Sonne DeVries & Dan Sheldon
“We searched for a house for about a year. We looked at horrible houses, but we were willing to do the work to build the house into something. This house was a disaster. We did a lot of renovations. We did the whole house. “We invested a lot into the house, and we enjoyed it...
Real relief: What Illinoisans looking for property tax reform can learn from Virginia
Real relief: What Illinoisans looking for property tax reform can learn from Virginia
If Illinois adopted Virginia’s spending habits along with policies that can reduce costs and raise home values, the Prairie State could vastly reduce the property tax burden that Illinois homeowners currently face.
Bill would expand airport property tax boundaries in Rock Island County
Bill would expand airport property tax boundaries in Rock Island County
House Bill 5816 would put all Rock Island County property taxpayers on the hook for costs at the Quad City International Airport.
Bill restricting government promotional spending advances in General Assembly
Bill restricting government promotional spending advances in General Assembly
An investigation in December 2017 found that a convention for municipalities and public agencies ran taxpayers nearly $120,000 in exhibition and hospitality costs. A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would bar state funds from contributing to these excesses.
Illinois House adjourns for month-long spring break
Illinois House adjourns for month-long spring break
House members won't return to the Statehouse until the second week of April.
School funding, the ballot box and Illinois’ high property taxes
School funding, the ballot box and Illinois’ high property taxes
Before your school district asks for another penny in property taxes, ask your school board what they’re doing to get their own house in order.
‘Friendly’ progressive tax proposal would hike taxes on Illinoisans making over $17,300
‘Friendly’ progressive tax proposal would hike taxes on Illinoisans making over $17,300
The $3.6 billion tax hike would cost the typical Illinois family $665 in additional income taxes.
Bill would bar Cook County elected officials from working as lobbyists, owning lobbying firms
Bill would bar Cook County elected officials from working as lobbyists, owning lobbying firms
Countywide elected officials would be barred from working as registered lobbyists or owning a lobbying firm under a new bill in the General Assembly.