Lightfoot floats waiving Chicago’s gas tax until 2023
Lightfoot floats waiving Chicago’s gas tax until 2023
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants to roll back the 3-cent gas tax she got city leaders to impose. She wants to offer relief for city residents as some pay over $5 a gallon.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois House passes plan to partially refill unemployment fund
Illinois House passes plan to partially refill unemployment fund
The Illinois House voted to use $2.7 billion in federal relief to partially refill the state’s depleted unemployment trust fund. Some lawmakers said it’s not enough.
By Dylan Sharkey
Marijuana sales dip as Illinois’ high taxes boost illegal market
Marijuana sales dip as Illinois’ high taxes boost illegal market
Illinois’ cannabis dispensaries are noticing a steady drop in sales after record-setting sales in December. High prices and a lack of supply likely push customers to street dealers.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinoisans pay highest tax burden in nation
Illinoisans pay highest tax burden in nation
A new study shows Illinois is the least tax-friendly state in the nation. A family making the median national income in the median valued home pays 16.8% of their income to taxes, more than any other state.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois tax rates rank No. 1: highest in U.S.
Illinois tax rates rank No. 1: highest in U.S.
Illinoisans now pay the highest combined state and local tax rates in the nation. Those taxes take more than 15% of their household income each year.
By Patrick Andriesen, Dylan Sharkey
Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices
Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is considering a repeal of Chicago’s 8-cent-per-gallon gas tax to alleviate record-breaking prices. State gas taxes doubled in 2019 and state leaders are also considering a repeal.
By Patrick Andriesen
After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers
After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers
March 12 marks two years of life under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency powers. It is time lawmakers had a say in how long those powers last.
By Joe Tabor
Pritzker fact check: College applications up because high schools now require them
Pritzker fact check: College applications up because high schools now require them
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently boasted Illinois was No. 1 for growth in high school applications for college aid. He failed to mention state law now makes students complete the application if they want to graduate.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19
Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19
City property taxes rose 30% faster than in suburban Cook County from 2000 to 2019. Record inflation in 2022 will bring increases statewide in 2023.
By Adam Schuster
Illinoisans pay highest sales taxes in Midwest, 8th highest in nation
Illinoisans pay highest sales taxes in Midwest, 8th highest in nation
Illinois’ combined state and average local retail sales tax rate topped 8.8% in 2022. That’s the 8th-highest in the nation and the highest in the Midwest.
By Bryce Hill
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign boast is how he’s providing relief for families, but none of it is permanent. He created much of the problem, and all the tax relief he’s proposing would expire after the election.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him for paying the state’s bills on time. The commercial fails to mention the influx of federal stimulus for the COVID-19 pandemic that kept Illinois’ finances afloat.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker ad fact check: No, the governor has never balanced a state budget
Pritzker ad fact check: No, the governor has never balanced a state budget
In one of his first re-election political TV ads, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes credit for passing a balanced budget. Budget documents tell a different story, showing a deficit instead of the reported surplus.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax
Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax
House Bill 4424 would give every Illinois municipal government the power to impose a 3-cent per gallon tax on gas without first gaining the approval of local taxpayers at the polls.
By Patrick Andriesen