To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

By Adam Schuster

04/02/2020

Struggling businesses, individuals and families need relief while the economy is shut down. Despite Illinois’ financial woes, leaders can help the recovery by lifting government-imposed financial burdens.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, fees, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, property taxes

State advises stores to temporarily ban reusable bags, but Chicago’s single-use bag tax remains

By Ben Szalinski

04/01/2020

Illinois’ grocery stores have told shoppers to leave their reusable bags at home to stop COVID-19’s spread. Chicago’s 7-cent bag tax will continue unless the law is changed.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, plastic bag tax

Illinois moves Tax Day to July 15 in response to coronavirus spread

By Ben Szalinski

03/25/2020

The change puts Illinois in line with the new federal deadline announced in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

TAGS: coronavirus, corporate income tax, COVID-19, income tax, JB Pritzker

Proposal would cut pay for Chicago politicians to fund coronavirus response

By Austin Berg

03/24/2020

One Chicago alderman is calling for the city’s 53 elected officials to forfeit their six-figure salaries for 15 days.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, lawmaker pay, Ray Lopez

Illinois’ rainy-day fund can operate state for about 15 minutes

By Brad Weisenstein

03/16/2020

With economic challenges driven by the coronavirus ahead, Illinois finds itself missing an important financial tool.

TAGS: government services, JB Pritzker, rainy day fund, revenue, small business, social services

Bill proposes to tie Illinois state spending to what taxpayers can afford

By Ben Szalinski

03/06/2020

Lawmakers routinely spend faster than taxpayers’ incomes grow. A new bill would put Illinois with the majority of states that limit taxes or spending.

TAGS: borrowing, budget, constitutional amendment, deficit, government spending, pensions, spending cap, tax increase

Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares

By Austin Berg

03/05/2020

Visions of the community’s future no longer bring comfort. Instead, they inspire crippling fear.

TAGS: corruption, home values, homeownership, local government consolidation, Matteson, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation

Pritzker budget relies on $800M in legally questionable accounting gimmicks

By Adam Schuster

03/05/2020

Illinois law requires the governor to propose a budget balanced with existing revenues. To do so, Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposes cutting aid owed local governments, raiding the road fund, letting health insurance costs pile up and withholding taxpayers’ refunds.

TAGS: accounting, budget, JB Pritzker, pensions, progressive income tax

Illinois property taxes rank No. 2 in the nation for third year running

By Brad Weisenstein

03/02/2020

Property taxes in Illinois are nearly double the national average. Until state lawmakers trim down thousands of local governments and pursue pension reform, those bills wills remain high.

TAGS: fair tax, home values, income tax, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, pensions, property taxes, school district efficiency

Why the soda tax ‘worked’ and the progressive tax won’t

By Austin Berg

02/28/2020

There’s no doubt: the county taxed soda more, so people bought less of it. It’s a simple lesson. So why doesn’t Springfield get it?

TAGS: Cook County, home price index, Illinois Constitution, JB Pritzker, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, soda tax, tax burden, Toni Preckwinkle