Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?
Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?
About two-thirds of state revenue comes from income and sales taxes.
Noble teachers beware: Unionizing invites CTU involvement in your school
Noble teachers beware: Unionizing invites CTU involvement in your school
Teachers seeking union representation in the Noble Network of Charter Schools may want to think again. Unions cause more harm than good for both students and teachers. The Chicago Teachers Union provides an up close and personal look at the disastrous impact unions would have on charter schools.
Illinois lawmakers want to regulate trampolines
Illinois lawmakers want to regulate trampolines
The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes
The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes
Chicagoans have been burdened with a slew of new taxes and the full damage has yet to be felt. A state income tax hike, like the one proposed in the Illinois Senate’s so-called “grand bargain,” would only further harm struggling Chicagoans.
Amazon received more than $112 million in EDGE tax credits in 2016
Amazon received more than $112 million in EDGE tax credits in 2016
In exchange for more than $112 million in tax breaks, Amazon promised to expand its Illinois operations and hire 7,200 new employees in Aurora, Monee and Joliet.
Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services
Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services
Senate Bill 9 would apply a 6.25 percent sales tax to laundry, dry cleaning, storage units and parking garages, among other services.
15 southern Illinois counties drop in population
15 southern Illinois counties drop in population
Fifteen counties in the southernmost part of Illinois lost population from July 2015 to July 2016, fueled by significant domestic migration.
While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break
While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break
Local state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, are still getting paid even though the state still does not have a balanced budget.
Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’
Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’
Illinois politicians are once again eyeing a “temporary” tax increase, and residents should be wary. History shows Illinois politicians favor tax hikes over spending reform, and the Tollway and 2011 income tax battle offer examples of the dangers taxpayers face when politicians toy with a temporary tax hike.
Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity
Multibillion-dollar tax hikes will only exacerbate Illinois’ weak economic activity
The latest report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois experienced falling tax collections, indicating trouble in the state economy. Spending reforms – not tax hikes – are what Illinois needs to right its fiscal ship and boost economic growth.
Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k
Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k
Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.
House bill would regulate ‘trampoline safety’
House bill would regulate ‘trampoline safety’
Instead of spending time on economic reforms, politicians crafted a bill that would apply new rules and regulations on trampoline safety that would add thousands of dollars in costs for equipment, travel and overtime for inspections.
Democracy in Illinois is a shell game
Democracy in Illinois is a shell game
House Speaker Mike Madigan and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin used shell bills to avoid the March 31 deadline for bills to pass out of committee. Madigan passed 936 shell bills. Durkin passed 528. Meanwhile, thousands of substantive bills died without so much as a committee hearing.
Gary Amass
Gary Amass
“My job with Chrysler is the longest job I’ve ever had. I’ll have 30 years under my belt in May, all in automotive manufacturing and assembly. “People on the line, a lot of them say ‘you work for what you want, it’s not handed to you.’ That’s one of the things I like about my...