Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
With an average property tax bill of more than $2,000 a year, Decatur continues to hike taxes on a shrinking population.
Laura and Phil Valdez
Laura and Phil Valdez
“Our property taxes are 12 percent of our income. And this is an unincorporated area. “All our neighbors complain about it. People at work complain about it. You read so much about it. There’s a high level of frustration. Because they see what’s happening to their pocketbooks. They’re feeling the effects of it. “On property...
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
When it comes to taxes, everyone works for the government. Illinoisans worked 120 days – from Jan. 1 until April 30 – to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Despite the massive size and scope of the project to widen the Tri-State, the Illinois Tollway board suggests new tolls and taxes won’t be needed – but history shows that promises related to tolls in Illinois haven’t held up in the past.
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Credit rating agencies have warned Illinois’ credit could slide into junk territory if the legislative session ends in May without a budget deal to get the state’s finances back on track.
Illinois House passes cursive writing mandate for schools
Illinois House passes cursive writing mandate for schools
House Bill 2977 would require both public elementary schools and high schools to include cursive instruction in their curriculums, and the plan doesn’t include how much this unfunded state mandate would cost taxpayers.
Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools is faced with the possibility of closing school early while Chicago sits on massive property wealth.
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Residents of Chicago’s collar counties pay the highest property taxes in the state – and some of the highest in the country.
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
At a time when businesses are fleeing the state, a group of Chicago aldermen are attempting to revive the employer’s expense tax to bail out Chicago Public Schools.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.
McHenry County Board votes to cut tax levy by 10 percent
McHenry County Board votes to cut tax levy by 10 percent
In a bipartisan effort to cut McHenry County’s local tax burden, the McHenry County Board voted overwhelmingly in favor of a pledge to cut the county tax levy by 10 percent. The board chairman has intimated he will pursue further local government consolidation efforts.
Illinois is losing its core income tax base
Illinois is losing its core income tax base
High-income earners provide the majority of Illinois’ income tax revenue, and IRS data show that Illinois is losing these taxpayers to out-migration.