Poll: Nearly half of Illinois voters view progressive tax as ‘blank check’ for state lawmakers
Poll: Nearly half of Illinois voters view progressive tax as ‘blank check’ for state lawmakers
Recent polling shows many Illinoisans would not trust state lawmakers with expanded taxing authority under a progressive income tax system.
Illinoisans will pay higher online sales tax starting in 2020
Illinoisans will pay higher online sales tax starting in 2020
Illinoisans will pay more in state and local sales taxes when shopping online beginning next year.
Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget
Lightfoot must pursue pension reform, reasonable labor contracts to fix Chicago’s budget
Persistent budget deficits, enormous and growing pension obligations, a high debt burden and labor contract negotiations all await Lori Lightfoot as she settles into office.
By Bill Reveille
20 tax and fee hikes totaling $4.6 billion coming soon for Illinoisans
20 tax and fee hikes totaling $4.6 billion coming soon for Illinoisans
The Illinois General Assembly and governor devised 20 different ways to take more money from taxpayers to finance spending on government operations and infrastructure.
By Adam Schuster
Despite tax hikes, Illinois fails to balance budget for 19th year in a row
Despite tax hikes, Illinois fails to balance budget for 19th year in a row
Band-Aid fixes and spending-heavy compromises were rampant. And now it’s all coming home to roost.
By Austin Berg
Illinois gas tax will double in July, then likely rise nearly a penny a year
Illinois gas tax will double in July, then likely rise nearly a penny a year
The state gas tax is projected to automatically increase 130% by 2025, without lawmaker approval. That’s almost 25 cents more on a gallon of gas.
What you need to know about Illinois’ gambling expansion
What you need to know about Illinois’ gambling expansion
Answers to frequently asked questions about new casinos and sports betting in Illinois.
Pritzker signs Illinois budget out of balance by up to $1.3 billion
Pritzker signs Illinois budget out of balance by up to $1.3 billion
Contrary to claims from both Republicans and Democrats, and despite raising nearly $1.1 billion in new taxes and fees for operations, the fiscal year 2020 budget is out of balance by between $574 million and $1.3 billion.
By Adam Schuster
Summer brings pay hike for Illinois state lawmakers, pay cut for you
Summer brings pay hike for Illinois state lawmakers, pay cut for you
Springfield politicians talking out of both sides of their mouths on tax “fairness” is one of many reasons they didn’t deserve a raise.
By Austin Berg
Illinois’ cigarette tax to become one of nation’s highest
Illinois’ cigarette tax to become one of nation’s highest
A $1 cigarette tax hike included in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s infrastructure plan will make Illinois’ tax on cigarette packs among the highest in the nation.
Pritzker approves $1,600 pay raises for state lawmakers
Pritzker approves $1,600 pay raises for state lawmakers
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law a budget that includes pay raises for state lawmakers, as Illinoisans brace for a number of new tax hikes.
By Vincent Caruso
Cubs, Bulls and Bears games eligible for in-person sports betting under new law
Cubs, Bulls and Bears games eligible for in-person sports betting under new law
New change in law paves the way for sports betting at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, and the United Center, among other venues.
Illinois state lawmakers pass $1,600 pay raise for themselves
Illinois state lawmakers pass $1,600 pay raise for themselves
The Illinois General Assembly sent $85 billion in proposed spending to Gov J.B. Pritzker’s desk in a matter of days. That package included tax hikes on ordinary Illinoisans and pay raises for all state lawmakers.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinoisans will see state gas tax double starting July 1
Illinoisans will see state gas tax double starting July 1
Illinoisans will pay more for gas, vehicle registration, cigarettes and parking after a bipartisan vote for $45 billion in new capital spending.
By Austin Berg