Illinois must rein in spending
Illinois must rein in spending
Increases funded by federal COVID aid have been made permanent, causing a fiscal problem.
REPORTS
Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances
Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly
Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan
Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends
The State of The State: Illinois leaders partly responsible for a sluggish recovery
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.
Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Fare evasion leads to lower revenue and higher crime. Two cities have found a way to fight it.
Illinois missing out on big savings
Illinois missing out on big savings
Adopting a state spending cap could help combat a mounting fiscal crisis.
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
Publicly funded stadium agreements can involve questionable incentives for politicians. The megaprojects bill in Illinois would drive up neighbors’ property taxes.
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Almost half of those in a new poll named taxes one of the city top-two issues. Concern about the economy is on the rise.
March Madness: Lower-tax states offer savings for NIL athletes
March Madness: Lower-tax states offer savings for NIL athletes
Ahead of March Madness, some of the highest-earning college basketball players will pay less in state income tax than they would in Illinois.
Pritzker’s record budget proposal likely to grow before it’s enacted
Pritzker’s record budget proposal likely to grow before it’s enacted
Almost all of Illinois’ final budgets under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have been larger than first proposed.
Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Legislators should use fiscal notes to show taxpayers the economic impact of their proposals.
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Illinois is one of the least affordable states in the nation. Blame high taxes, public pensions and structural debt.
Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly
Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly
Some communities saw their bills rise 75% or more.
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants $589 million in business-focused tax hikes. That would endanger Illinois’ long-term economic stability.