Illinois’ Secretary of State claims armed security at Capitol to be eliminated if tax increase sunsets
Illinois’ Secretary of State claims armed security at Capitol to be eliminated if tax increase sunsets
In an effort to strong arm legislators today, Illinois’ Secretary of State Jesse White threatened that armed security at Illinois’ Capitol building would need to be completely removed if the 2011 temporary tax hikes were rolled back. Armed security was hired in the aftermath of a 2004 shooting that occurred at the Capitol. Tragically, one...
By Justin Hegy
Progressive tax means higher taxes for 98 percent of Illinois educators
Progressive tax means higher taxes for 98 percent of Illinois educators
Some Illinois lawmakers and special-interest groups are pushing for a so-called fair tax, or progressive income tax in Illinois. Among the leading advocates of the progressive tax is Illinois Education Association, or IEA, which misleadingly claims the progressive tax would “increase taxes on the rich” while “cutting taxes on the middle class.” The reality is...
By Benjamin VanMetre, Erik Bauman
6 reasons why Chicago aldermen should oppose Rahm’s property tax hikes
6 reasons why Chicago aldermen should oppose Rahm’s property tax hikes
It’s no wonder that more and more Chicago aldermen are balking at Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s property tax hike proposal. They know property tax hikes won’t play well on the campaign trail later this year. Emanuel is calling for $750 million in property tax hikes over five years to prop up just two of the four...
Illinois taxpayers worked 118 days into 2014 to pay for taxes
Illinois taxpayers worked 118 days into 2014 to pay for taxes
April 28 marks Illinois’ Tax Freedom Day. This day commemorates the point in 2014 when Illinoisans have worked enough to cover the rising cost of federal, state and local government. From now through the rest of 2014, Illinoisans finally will be able to keep the money they earn. Illinois’ high-tax environment pushed the state’s Tax...
By Benjamin VanMetre
Did higher taxes create the Minnesota miracle?
Did higher taxes create the Minnesota miracle?
A Better Illinois is claiming that the progressive tax and higher taxes on the wealthy are responsible for the “Minnesota miracle.” But the only marvels here are the impressive contortions they used in concluding that higher taxes is what holds Illinois back from impressive job growth and a budget surplus. The problem with their analysis...
By Naomi Lopez Bauman
Lawmakers need to keep their promise to sunset the tax hike in 2015
Lawmakers need to keep their promise to sunset the tax hike in 2015
Illinois politicians pushed through a record income tax increase on families and businesses in January 2011. They promised the tax hike would partially sunset in January 2015. But as that date closes in, lawmakers are crying poor and threatening Illinoisans with massive cuts in services. Illinois lawmakers are using doomsday scenarios as scare tactics to...
By Benjamin VanMetre
Chicago’s collar counties should get their welcome mats ready
Chicago’s collar counties should get their welcome mats ready
Expect Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s call for property tax hikes to be a boon for Chicago’s collar counties and Lake County, Ind. Cook County residents have been fleeing to neighboring counties for decades, and Emanuel’s proposed hikes – to prop up city pensions – will only increase the outflow. According to IRS data, Cook County lost...
The progressive income tax was never about tax relief
The progressive income tax was never about tax relief
State Sen. Don Harmon and advocates for his progressive tax proposal argue that the progressive income tax will provide tax relief for Illinois’ middle class. Not only is the argument not true, but the progressive income tax was never about tax relief. The proof of that is in the numbers. Under Illinois law, the individual...
By Benjamin VanMetre
Budget Solutions 2015: Keeping promises to taxpayers and turning around Illinois
Budget Solutions 2015: Keeping promises to taxpayers and turning around Illinois
The 2015 fiscal year marks a long-awaited milestone for Illinoisans: taxpayers are less than one year away from tax relief. The record 2011 income tax increase is slated to partially sunset during the 2015 fiscal year. But politicians are already crying poor as Illinois approaches the tax-hike sunset. The solutions they’ve offered up involve making...
By Benjamin VanMetre
Chicago property tax hike plan will drive away people and prosperity
Chicago property tax hike plan will drive away people and prosperity
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s pension reform scheme passed through the General Assembly this week and has been moved to Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk. This plan authorizes Chicago to raise $2.25 billion in additional property taxes over the next decade. Despite this massive tax hike, the city will raise only half its legally required pension payments. Hiking...
By Michael Lucci
Chicago property taxes: Rahm’s hikes vs. Quinn’s relief
Chicago property taxes: Rahm’s hikes vs. Quinn’s relief
Gov. Pat Quinn is in a bind. He’s being asked to sign a Chicago pension bill that he knows has no real reforms and no way to pay for itself. By signing the bill, Quinn will give Mayor Rahm Emanuel his blessing to raise Chicago property taxes by $750 million over five years. But that’s...
Institute responds to faith leaders advocating for higher tax rates on the middle class
Institute responds to faith leaders advocating for higher tax rates on the middle class
On April 8, activists arrived unannounced at the Springfield office of the Illinois Policy Institute to protest our leadership in unmasking an unfair progressive tax grab. They left behind this letter. The following is our response. *** Dear Revs. Sharp, Coulter and Knox: Thank you for visiting our Springfield office earlier this week, and for...
By Jonathan Greenberg
Chicago leading the pack in gas price surge
Chicago leading the pack in gas price surge
The price of gas in the U.S. is going up, and Chicago is leading the charge. NBC Chicago reported that the average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has risen 5 cents in the past two weeks. And Chicagoans are paying $4.18 per gallon of gas on average. That’s the highest price per gallon...
By Hilary Gowins