Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
Station owners said Illinois businesses were damaged July 1 when the gasoline tax doubled. Tax increases are keeping Illinois pumps quiet and cooling cigarette sales.
By Brad Weisenstein
Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
More than 9,000 Illinois school district administrators earn more than $100,000 a year. Each of them will collect at least $3 million in pension benefits during retirement.
By Adam Schuster
Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
Chicago is tied with two other cities for the highest sales tax rates for a major U.S. city, adding another superlative for taxation of residents and visitors.
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
The village will dedicate an estimated $1.5 million dollars to its police pension fund in 2019 – 9.17% more than it paid last year.
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.
By Adam Schuster
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Without true pension reform, property taxes are only bound to continue swamping Cook County homeowners.
By Bryce Hill
Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax
Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax
County leaders may exercise new taxing authority from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s capital plan. Illinois already doubled its portion of the gas tax, pushing the total burden to No. 3 in nation.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad
Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad
Illinois’ film tax credit program is a slap in the face to the state’s small business community outside the spotlight, does little to grow good jobs and is rife with corruption.
By Austin Berg
Illinois imposing car trade-in tax on Jan. 1; Dealers call it double taxation
Illinois imposing car trade-in tax on Jan. 1; Dealers call it double taxation
The state collects no sales tax on trade-in value, but that changes next year. Car dealers call the $60 million to be collected ‘double taxation’ because trade-ins were taxed when purchased.
Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.
Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.
Data from the American Petroleum Institute confirms doubling Illinois’ motor fuel tax will bring total taxes paid at the pump to third highest in the nation, up from 10th highest a year earlier.
By Adam Schuster
Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy
Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy
The elections scheduled for November 2020 are already injecting uncertainty into the economy, and the progressive income tax ballot question will make matters worse.
By Orphe Divounguy, Chena Underhill
Illinois state lawmakers 4th-highest paid in nation
Illinois state lawmakers 4th-highest paid in nation
The budget signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker included a $1,600 pay raise for the Illinois General Assembly – which already collects the nation’s 4th-highest base salary for state lawmakers.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois home values down 21%, property taxes up 9% since 2007
Illinois home values down 21%, property taxes up 9% since 2007
Without serious property tax relief – including pension reform – it is likely fewer will demand planting roots in Illinois.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Illinois state lawmakers among highest paid in nation
Illinois state lawmakers among highest paid in nation
The Illinois General Assembly passed budget that included a $1,600 pay raise for state lawmakers, who already rank among the nation’s highest paid.