2 Illinois cities passed local grocery taxes. Is your town next?
2 Illinois cities passed local grocery taxes. Is your town next?
Illinois towns have started passing local grocery taxes that will take affect once the state grocery tax phases out in 2026. Will your town be next?
By Dylan Sharkey
How much will your community save from Illinois grocery tax repeal?
How much will your community save from Illinois grocery tax repeal?
Illinois is doing away with the statewide grocery tax. Look below to see how much taxpayers in your town or county will save when the tax goes away in 2026 – unless local leaders decide to keep it.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker’s gas tax hike doubles yearly take to nearly $2B
Pritzker’s gas tax hike doubles yearly take to nearly $2B
Illinois drivers are expected to pay nearly $2 billion in state gas taxes by the end of the year, more than twice what they paid before Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office and doubled the tax. Pritzker’s tax hike took $4 billion extra from drivers between 2019 and 2023.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.
Illinois sales taxes 7th highest in U.S.
Illinois’ combined state and average local sales tax is the seventh highest in the nation. It is the highest among the most populous states.
By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg
2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief
2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently approved two laws intended to spur change in the way property taxes work in Illinois. They are old ideas that will provide more show than relief.
By Joe Tabor
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit
Updated budget forecasts show a $982 million shortfall for the upcoming 2025 budget as Chicago grapples with $223 million remaining deficit this year. Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to rule out property tax hikes.
By Bryce Hill
Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax
Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax
Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is on its way out, but your local government may add its own. Highland, Illinois, could be the first to do so.
By Dylan Sharkey
River Forest considering local grocery tax hike
River Forest considering local grocery tax hike
Illinois is cutting the statewide grocery tax, but some local governments may reestablish it. One Chicago suburb is already moving in that direction. Its neighbor will let taxpayers keep their grocery money.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes
Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget includes $250,000 for a group advocating for increased government spending and higher taxes. He gave the group money last year, too.
By Dylan Sharkey
Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years
Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years
Consumers have been hammered with inflation on groceries during the past four years. Illinois was heading in the right direction by eliminating the tax on them, but now communities are faced with either imposing a new grocery tax or losing the money.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes
Illinois No. 2 in nation for highest gas taxes
Only California has higher gasoline taxes than Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax boost just bumped the rate to 47 cents per gallon. It was 19 cents before Pritzker took office.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker to show Democrats how he thinks big about taxes, budgets, deficits
Pritzker to show Democrats how he thinks big about taxes, budgets, deficits
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record $53.1 billion state budget imposes $1.1 billion in new taxes on Illinoisans and still manages to underfund public pensions. He’s boosted state spending by $15 billion in six years. Housing, jobs and population are all suffering.
By Patrick Andriesen