Budget + Tax

Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far

Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far

Video gaming already generated $428 million in tax revenue so far in 2024. Part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new Illinois state budget relies on more revenue from video gaming machines. The tax hike started July 1.

By Kurtis Karg

The Policy Shop: Springfield’s bad budgeting

The Policy Shop: Springfield’s bad budgeting

This episode of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research. It’s all just numbers, right? $53.1 billion? Why, with 12.5 million Illinoisans, that will only cost a family of four about $17,000. A mere pittance for all the good done by the state politicians who generously spend other people’s...

Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit

Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit

A cap on the retailers’ sales tax credit will effectively hikes taxes on Illinois retailers by $186 million. Retailers are already facing razor-thin margins, but the record $53.1 billion state budget required $1.1 billion in new taxes.

By Patrick Andriesen

Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1

Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1

After July 1, Illinois motorists will be averaging $184 more in state gas taxes since Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled them in 2019. Illinois motorists already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, and inflation adjustments just take them higher.

By Dylan Sharkey