How does Illinois spend millions in cannabis cash?
How does Illinois spend millions in cannabis cash?
In Illinois’ fifth year of recreational cannabis sales, it’s already made nearly $180 million in tax revenue. But it is losing sales to neighboring states with lower taxes.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois has worst rainy-day fund in nation
Illinois has worst rainy-day fund in nation
Illinois has the worst rainy-day fund in the nation and has only enough cash to last for 15 days. It’s the only state that wouldn’t last a month.
By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit
Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit
Illinoisans with children younger than 3 could soon get a break on their state taxes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest budget would let qualifying parents around the state keep $12 million in taxes.
By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to take nearly $100 million more from Illinoisans through state income taxes, averaging $45 per family.
By Dylan Sharkey
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side
Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side
Voters on the South Side and West Side of Chicago supported Mayor Brandon Johnson just a year ago. They just vehemently rejected his plan to raise the real estate transfer tax, which threatened businesses and lacked details about easing homelessness.
By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko
Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies
Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies
In 2020, 70% of Chicago voters approved the failed statewide progressive income tax. But on March 19, they rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike. This is a resounding defeat for Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union.
By Hilary Gowins
Bring Chicago Home referendum being rejected by voters
Bring Chicago Home referendum being rejected by voters
Chicago voters were giving a thumbs down on the referendum to raise the real estate transfer tax on million-dollar properties known as “Bring Chicago Home,” with 54% voting “no” with 96% of the precincts reporting.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago spending on migrants reaches nearly $300M as evictions begin
Chicago spending on migrants reaches nearly $300M as evictions begin
Chicago is approaching $300 million spent on the migrant crisis since the first bus arrived in 2022. Nearly two years later, more than 11,200 migrants are in the city shelters.
By Dylan Sharkey
Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue
Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue
The city’s data shows there are 6,139 homeless Chicagoans. That number has barely budged since 2014, when the city counted 6,294 homeless Chicagoans, but city spending on homelessness has jumped from $21.7 million in 2014 to $58 million in 2023.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois Supreme Court: Votes count on ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
Illinois Supreme Court: Votes count on ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a petition to invalidate votes on the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum. Voting ends March 19.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax could hit more than 100 grocery stores
Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax could hit more than 100 grocery stores
“Bring Chicago Home” would classify more than 100 grocery stores as high-end properties that need to “pay their fair share” if sold. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s rhetoric fails to match his tax hike’s realities.
By Dylan Sharkey