Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

By Patrick Andriesen

11/23/2021

Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.

TAGS: Illinois, middle class, taxes

Illinois highways come with high costs, poor conditions, report finds

By Patrick Andriesen

11/19/2021

Taxpayers pay too much for the rough conditions they find on Illinois roads, according to a report by the Reason Foundation. Bad pavement and too much congestion come with upkeep costs that are among the highest in the U.S.

TAGS: Illinois, interstate highway, roads

Expect higher gas prices, more drivers this Thanksgiving in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

11/17/2021

AAA’s Thanksgiving travel forecast predicts national driving rates will rebound to near pre-pandemic levels this holiday. For Illinoisans visiting family in the coming weeks, that trip will be cheaper if they can fill up out of state.

TAGS: gas prices, Illinois, Thanksgiving

Chicago’s ‘Netflix tax’ revenues more than triple in five years

By Patrick Andriesen

11/08/2021

In 2017, Chicagoans paid $40 million in taxes on cloud computing and streaming services. It was $150 million this past fiscal year.

TAGS: Chicago, Netflix, taxes

Illinois’ online shoppers face full local sales tax rates this holiday season

By Dylan Sharkey

11/04/2021

Sales tax revenue is up from pre-pandemic levels, in part because Illinois is now forcing online retailers to charge local sales tax rates as high as 10.25%. No tax breaks this Cyber Monday.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic

By Amy Korte

11/02/2021

While phasing in the tax impact of sharp increases in assessed value could help Cook County’s commercial property owners adjust, holding down property taxes requires reducing spending through public pension reform in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, COVID-19, property taxes, small business

Chicago budget hands $500 monthly to some, higher property taxes to others

By Brad Weisenstein

10/27/2021

Chicago will spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes, UBI: Universal Basic Income

Illinois’ gambling revenue chase closes in on Chicago casinos

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2021

Chicago is getting closer to getting a casino, but more ways and places to gamble do not necessarily mean more state revenue. Illinois would be better off betting on pension reform.

TAGS: casino, Chicago, COVID-19, gaming

Illinois imposes tricky taxes on Halloween treats

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2021

Taxes are different on different types of candy in Illinois, with some brands taxed six times more than others. Just because you can eat it, doesn’t mean Illinois’ tax policy sees it as food.

TAGS: Halloween, Illinois, taxes

2 ways to fix Illinois’ too-high property taxes, teacher shortage

By Ann Miller

10/21/2021

Redirecting some of Illinois’ school district administrative overhead could attract top talent to the more than 4,100 teacher openings. The savings could be $1,317 per taxpayer in one veteran teacher’s hometown. Reform pensions, and that amount grows.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, taxes, teacher shortage