Illinois ranks in top 10 for state and local taxes
Illinois ranks in top 10 for state and local taxes
The state’s residents paid over $8,300, which was 18.5 percent more than the national average.
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
Illinois passes record $55.9 billion budget, with over $800 million in tax increases
Illinois passes record $55.9 billion budget, with over $800 million in tax increases
Illinois lawmakers’ late-night budget sets a new spending record financed by more tax hikes on the final day of legislative session.
Illinois suspending gas tax hike, sweep $150M sales taxes
Illinois suspending gas tax hike, sweep $150M sales taxes
Lawmakers plan to stop the automatic gas tax increase for six months but plan to use an unexpected $150 million in sales tax from high gas prices to balance the budget rather than benefit taxpayers.
Pension buyout extension passes, forecast to save $1.4 billion
Pension buyout extension passes, forecast to save $1.4 billion
Renewing the state pension buyout for two years means flexibility for retirees and savings for the state.
Will new state budget skirt law meant to protect transportation money?
Will new state budget skirt law meant to protect transportation money?
Year after year the state budget has diverted money meant for transportation to pay the bills. It’s a good bet the fiscal 2027 budget will do it again.
Pritzker budget gives NASCAR, PGA up to $9 million in taxpayer money
Pritzker budget gives NASCAR, PGA up to $9 million in taxpayer money
The proposed Illinois budget gives money to NASCAR and PGA as lawmakers weigh a Bears stadium tax break, putting taxpayers on the hook for private sports costs.
Tax hike threat looms as Illinois budget deadline nears
Tax hike threat looms as Illinois budget deadline nears
They are signaling a willingness to raise taxes as the May 31 deadline quickly approaches.
New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes
New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes
The state again had the highest residential property tax rate in the U.S. in 2024, tied with New Jersey.
Delayed property tax bills cost Chicago Public Schools $34 million
Delayed property tax bills cost Chicago Public Schools $34 million
Chicago Public Schools borrowed over $1.8 billion amid a delay in last year’s Cook County bills, adding interest costs and exposing the fragility of the district’s finances.
Bad revenue forecasts drive reckless state spending
Bad revenue forecasts drive reckless state spending
Lawmakers too often decide what to spend without an accurate picture of what will come in.
Illinois drivers pay nation’s second-highest gas taxes ahead of Memorial Day
Illinois drivers pay nation’s second-highest gas taxes ahead of Memorial Day
Gas prices in Illinois are up 48% from last Memorial Day. Here’s what to know about the state’s gas tax.
Vallas: The Chicago City Council must empower itself for better budget oversight
Vallas: The Chicago City Council must empower itself for better budget oversight
Going into this budget cycle, there should be an added urgency for the City Council to build its capacity to play a co-equal role in the budget process and push to adopt more reforms and efficiencies to control spending.