Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...
By Brendan Bakala
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
A multibillion-dollar business based in Missouri — Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. — is making a pretty penny helping to hike local sales taxes across Illinois.
By Austin Berg
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
Legislation with bipartisan support in the House would oppose the internet streaming tax proposal – which might not even be legal – in the Senate’s “grand bargain.”
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
With hundreds of taxing bodies in their county and inaction from Springfield, DuPage homeowners will soon see yet another property tax increase.
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Despite being axed for bad performance, and in some cases not even doing its job, Northstar Lottery Group is collecting millions in fees and bonuses.
By Brendan Bakala
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws
A bill in the Illinois Senate would provide certain alcohol producers some freedom within the state’s three-tier system – which has been maintained through measures limiting competition and benefiting the politically connected.
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.
By Amy Korte
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
Illinois state government works to prioritize special interests over taxpayers – and the budget deal being negotiated in the Senate would continue that.
By Michael Lucci
Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
Prestige Metals to move from Illinois to Wisconsin
The small sheet metal fabricator will move from its current facility in Antioch, Ill., to an 8-acre location in Bristol, Wis.
By Brendan Bakala
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Poll shows ‘large majorities’ of Illinois voters support legalizing marijuana
Illinoisans of all ages, political party affiliations and regions of the state favor legalizing marijuana and regulating and taxing it like alcohol, as provided in legislation proposed by state Rep. Kelly Cassidy on March 22.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
Illinois has hurt its economy by piling on taxes since the Great Recession
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
By Michael Lucci