5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals
5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals
Another Band-Aid budget deal won’t fix the financial problems that plague Illinois or stop the state’s credit rating from falling to junk.
Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes
Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes
Jackson County has the highest median property taxes among the southernmost counties in Illinois, and falls in the state’s top 50 counties for highest property taxes. Meanwhile, Hardin County residents pay the lowest median property taxes in the state.
Kentucky to get nearly $3B in new business investments since passing economic reforms
Kentucky to get nearly $3B in new business investments since passing economic reforms
Companies have announced billions in new business investment in Kentucky a few months after the state passed key economic reforms. Illinois lawmakers should take note.
Capital One received more than $20 million in tax breaks from Illinois in 2015
Capital One received more than $20 million in tax breaks from Illinois in 2015
The state agreed to the tax credits in exchange for Capital One hiring 210 new employees and retaining 900.
EDGE tax credit program expires, but extension passes Illinois House
EDGE tax credit program expires, but extension passes Illinois House
Illinois’ EDGE tax credit program expired April 30; however, proponents of EDGE have passed a one-month extension in the Illinois House of Representatives.
How Trump’s tax proposals would affect Illinois
How Trump’s tax proposals would affect Illinois
The corporate tax reforms under President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan could strengthen Illinois’ position as a home for businesses, but the state’s uncompetitive income, property and death tax policies would put its residents at an even greater disadvantage with respect to other states if the president’s plan passes.
Illinois House passes bill to allow dissolution of township road districts
Illinois House passes bill to allow dissolution of township road districts
House Bill 607 would allow for the consolidation of a duplicative layer of government, something Illinois taxpayers desperately need.
Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
With an average property tax bill of more than $2,000 a year, Decatur continues to hike taxes on a shrinking population.
Laura and Phil Valdez
Laura and Phil Valdez
“Our property taxes are 12 percent of our income. And this is an unincorporated area. “All our neighbors complain about it. People at work complain about it. You read so much about it. There’s a high level of frustration. Because they see what’s happening to their pocketbooks. They’re feeling the effects of it. “On property...
Illinois cursive writing mandate for schools
Illinois cursive writing mandate for schools
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
When it comes to taxes, everyone works for the government. Illinoisans worked 120 days – from Jan. 1 until April 30 – to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Despite the massive size and scope of the project to widen the Tri-State, the Illinois Tollway board suggests new tolls and taxes won’t be needed – but history shows that promises related to tolls in Illinois haven’t held up in the past.
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Credit rating agencies have warned Illinois’ credit could slide into junk territory if the legislative session ends in May without a budget deal to get the state’s finances back on track.
Union representing Illinois state nurses has a history of prioritizing union jobs at all costs
Union representing Illinois state nurses has a history of prioritizing union jobs at all costs
Privatizing some medical services provided to inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections could potentially save the state $8 million a year. But the Illinois Nurses Association has a history of doing all it can to keep taxpayers on the hook for that money – and for union jobs that might not even be necessary.