Illinois gas tops $3, highest since Pritzker doubled gas tax in 2019

By Brad Weisenstein

04/12/2021

Gas was $3.05 per gallon in Illinois. It was over $1 higher than a year ago and the highest since the state gasoline tax doubled to 38 cents per gallon and is set to increase again July 1.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Judge says taxpayers owe 2 Illinois senators who voted to reject raises

By Brad Weisenstein

04/12/2021

Judge rules in favor of two former state senators seeking the back pay they rejected and then crowed about rejecting. Ruling applies only to the pair.

TAGS: Illinois, Illinois Comptroller, lawmaker pay

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

By Ann Miller

04/02/2021

Combine the corporate tax rate President Joe Biden wants to fund his infrastructure plan with Illinois’ tax, and the resulting rate would be 35.4% – fifth highest in the nation and second in the Midwest.

TAGS: corporate income tax, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Joe Biden, small business

Bill would match Illinois spending to what taxpayers can afford

By Bryce Hill

04/02/2021

A bipartisan ‘spending cap’ bill would allow predictable, sustainable growth in state spending without tax hikes. Illinois is one of the few states without a similar fiscal restraint.

TAGS: budget, spending cap, tax hikes

Too many government units means property taxes are too high in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

03/30/2021

A bill to eliminate some of Illinois’ 1,400 townships is on hold, but state lawmakers could revive it and give voters the power to reduce their property tax bills.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes, townships

Illinois is one of few states with ‘Death Tax.’ Bill would make it highest in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

03/26/2021

Increasing the estate tax would hurt family farms and businesses, drive wealth and investment out of Illinois. Most states are ending their ‘death taxes.’

TAGS: death tax, estate tax, farms

Feds use ‘fair tax’ methods, but Pritzker doesn’t like results

By Bryce Hill

03/24/2021

Despite pushing hard for a progressive state income tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the impact of the same policy at the national level for what it means for Illinois.

TAGS: federal government, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax

Illinois state tax revenue is rising, so why is Pritzker pushing small business tax hikes?

By Brad Weisenstein

03/18/2021

COVID-19 prompted $7.5 billion in federal relief, but state revenues were up during the past 8 months. Delayed tax due dates were partly responsible, but revenue even grew where it should have declined. So why should small businesses have to come up with $2 billion more?

TAGS: JB Pritzker, revenue, small business, tax hikes

Illinois lawmakers moving fast to pass $1B in tax hikes on small businesses

By Bryce Hill

03/17/2021

Small businesses got federal tax relief to handle the COVID-19 economic downturn. Now Springfield is trying to take away the same break on state taxes, costing the state’s main job creators $1 billion with hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans still out of work.

TAGS: decoupling, JB Pritzker, small business, tax hikes

Pritzker again after up to $1B tax hike on 440,000 Illinois small businesses

By Bryce Hill

03/16/2021

Federal tax relief was championed so small businesses could better deal with COVID-19 economic impacts. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to keep $1 billion in state taxes from Illinois small businesses.

TAGS: corporate income tax, JB Pritzker, small business, tax hikes