One federal tax change could determine whether Illinois sinks or swims
One federal tax change could determine whether Illinois sinks or swims
The choice is clear: Fix Illinois, or watch its downfall accelerate.
Rahm’s 2018 budget: More fee hikes on the way
Rahm’s 2018 budget: More fee hikes on the way
Mayor Rahm Emanuel looks to increase costs for Chicagoans to fill budget shortfalls and failing pensions.
How ending the state and local tax deduction puts Illinois’ economy at a crossroads
How ending the state and local tax deduction puts Illinois’ economy at a crossroads
One change in federal tax code – and Illinois lawmakers’ response to it – could decide the economic trajectory of the state.
Bloat expands as enrollment drops, tuition spikes in Illinois higher education
Bloat expands as enrollment drops, tuition spikes in Illinois higher education
Growth in administrative bloat is sucking up money that would otherwise go toward the classroom and tuition grants for low-income students in Illinois’ higher education system.
Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois
Wave of local tax and fee increases sweeping Illinois
Cities and villages across the state are raising taxes or implementing new ones for a variety of functions, from attracting a fast-food restaurant to catching up on rising pension costs.
Cook County’s budget problems stem from massive growth in payrolls
Cook County’s budget problems stem from massive growth in payrolls
The average salary for Cook County workers has far outpaced that of the typical Cook County household since 2001, and that’s contributed to the county’s fiscal ills.
Illinois’ new budget already has $1.7B hole despite largest permanent tax hike in state history
Illinois’ new budget already has $1.7B hole despite largest permanent tax hike in state history
Every budget through 2023 will likely be unbalanced as well.
Abundance of governments is one driver of collar county property taxes
Abundance of governments is one driver of collar county property taxes
Consolidating governments in the collar counties could help lower residents’ high property taxes.
State taxpayers will be paying for CPS’ underutilized schools
State taxpayers will be paying for CPS’ underutilized schools
Under Illinois’ new education funding formula, the wildly mismanaged Chicago school district won’t lose a dime in state funding, no matter how many students it loses.
Taxpayers should flex their muscle, pick their punches
Taxpayers should flex their muscle, pick their punches
If aggrieved taxpayers don’t also demand fixes to underlying spending problems, calls for additional tax hikes will return. And they’ll be stronger than ever.
Taxpayer victory: Cook County soda tax repealed
Taxpayer victory: Cook County soda tax repealed
With the repeal of the Cook County sweetened beverage tax, taxpayers remind elected officials who they represent.
Illinois borrows $1.5B as S&P confirms rating is one notch above junk
Illinois borrows $1.5B as S&P confirms rating is one notch above junk
S&P Global Ratings has warned that Illinois’ bond sale to help pay old bills could merely add more debt to Illinois’ burden if the state does not also enact fiscal reforms.
Sweetened beverage tax repeal passes out of committee
Sweetened beverage tax repeal passes out of committee
The Cook County Board Finance Committee voted Oct. 10 in favor of an ordinance to repeal the unpopular sweetened beverage tax. The repeal measure now awaits a vote before the full board.
Billions in unpaid health care bills shine a light on overly generous benefits
Billions in unpaid health care bills shine a light on overly generous benefits
State workers receive a platinum-level health care plan at a heavily subsidized cost, while Illinoisans in the private sector paying for those plans see their own premiums skyrocket.