Nearly 70% of Chicago voters support property tax freeze
Nearly 70% of Chicago voters support property tax freeze
In an Illinois Policy Institute poll, 69% of surveyed Chicago voters supported freezing property taxes.
Bears buy Arlington Park, but Chicago still owes $640M for Soldier Field
Bears buy Arlington Park, but Chicago still owes $640M for Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears have purchased the former Arlington Park Racetrack for $197.2 million. Chicagoans are still on the hook for $640 million for Soldier Field renovations from 2002.
Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives
Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $440 million for universal preschool and other initiatives for low-income young children. But shouldn’t Illinois pay its old bills before taking on new expenses?
Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech
Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech
Here’s what Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about how Illinois is faring and what his priorities will be in the fiscal year 2024 budget.
Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan
Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan
After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability
Each Chicago taxpayer on hook for nearly $42,000 of city debt
Each Chicago taxpayer on hook for nearly $42,000 of city debt
Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting found Chicagoans are each responsible for the second-most debt in the nation. It again gave the city an ‘F’ grade despite improvements from one-time federal COVID-19 aid and unusually high pension investment returns.
How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil
How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil
Before deciding who best can lead Chicago through its financial problems, it helps to understand what those problems are. Here’s a primer.
Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation
Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation
Illinoisans shopping for Valentine’s Day will pay the highest sales tax in the Midwest and eighth-highest in the nation.
Illinoisans pay 2nd-highest local government fines, fees in nation
Illinoisans pay 2nd-highest local government fines, fees in nation
Illinoisans gave up $50 on average to fines and fees last year. That’s the second-most in the nation and almost double the U.S. average.
Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’
Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’
Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist and mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson unveiled his ‘tax-the-rich’ revenue plan, including $800 million in new taxes on suburbanites and those who come to the city to work or play.
High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022
High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022
Low-tax states attract the majority of movers, while high-tax states push them away. Illinois takes nearly 13% of all money made in the state as taxes, and lost 141,656 residents in 2022.
Pritzker fact check: Illinoisans pay 4th-highest college tuition in nation
Pritzker fact check: Illinoisans pay 4th-highest college tuition in nation
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is making free college a priority in his second term. Tuition is driven up by pension costs, which Pritzker routinely ignores.
Flashback: What Illinois lawmaker’s progressive tax plan looked like 5 years ago
Flashback: What Illinois lawmaker’s progressive tax plan looked like 5 years ago
Here's what the progressive tax looked like nearly five years ago when state lawmakers were pushing a plan to tax Illinoisans $3.6 billion more, starting with those making $17,300.
Illinois state senator pushing progressive tax voters rejected
Illinois state senator pushing progressive tax voters rejected
An Illinois state senator is reviving an effort to change Illinois’ income tax structure from a flat tax, even though voters soundly defeated the change in 2020. Expect higher taxes, retirement taxes if he gets his way.