Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Pritzker budget: $93M income tax hike for record spending
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to take nearly $100 million more from Illinoisans through state income taxes, averaging $45 per family.
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year
Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.
Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side
Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side
Voters on the South Side and West Side of Chicago supported Mayor Brandon Johnson just a year ago. They just vehemently rejected his plan to raise the real estate transfer tax, which threatened businesses and lacked details about easing homelessness.
Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies
Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies
In 2020, 70% of Chicago voters approved the failed statewide progressive income tax. But on March 19, they rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike. This is a resounding defeat for Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union.
Bring Chicago Home referendum being rejected by voters
Bring Chicago Home referendum being rejected by voters
Chicago voters were giving a thumbs down on the referendum to raise the real estate transfer tax on million-dollar properties known as “Bring Chicago Home,” with 54% voting “no” with 96% of the precincts reporting.
Chicago spending on migrants reaches nearly $300M as evictions begin
Chicago spending on migrants reaches nearly $300M as evictions begin
Chicago is approaching $300 million spent on the migrant crisis since the first bus arrived in 2022. Nearly two years later, more than 11,200 migrants are in the city shelters.
Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue
Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue
The city’s data shows there are 6,139 homeless Chicagoans. That number has barely budged since 2014, when the city counted 6,294 homeless Chicagoans, but city spending on homelessness has jumped from $21.7 million in 2014 to $58 million in 2023.
Illinois Supreme Court: Votes count on ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
Illinois Supreme Court: Votes count on ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a petition to invalidate votes on the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum. Voting ends March 19.
Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax could hit more than 100 grocery stores
Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax could hit more than 100 grocery stores
“Bring Chicago Home” would classify more than 100 grocery stores as high-end properties that need to “pay their fair share” if sold. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s rhetoric fails to match his tax hike’s realities.
Vallas: Johnson can’t be trusted with real estate tax hike
Vallas: Johnson can’t be trusted with real estate tax hike
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike comes with no guarantees he won’t use the money for things other than homeless relief. So why should voters believe he won’t hand the money to his cronies at the Chicago Teachers Union?
Voter information on Chicago’s real estate transfer tax hike
Voter information on Chicago’s real estate transfer tax hike
March 19 primary ballots ask Chicago voters whether they support Mayor Brandon Johnson's real estate transfer tax hike. While he and 'Bring Chicago Home' advocates claim money will help homeless Chicagoans, there is reason to worry about hurting 5,143 commercial properties with no guarantee how this 'mansion tax' will be used.
Pritzker plans to keep $45 your family should be taking off state taxes
Pritzker plans to keep $45 your family should be taking off state taxes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed reduction of Illinois’ standard income tax exemption would increase taxes for over 11 million individuals. Some state leaders warn the effective tax hike would hit working families hardest.
What you need to know about ‘Bring Chicago Home’
What you need to know about ‘Bring Chicago Home’
Chicago’s March 19 primary election includes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike to raise $100 million, dubbed “Bring Chicago Home.” Will higher taxes without a plan help homeless Chicagoans or hurt their job prospects?
Appellate decision: Votes on Bring Chicago Home referendum will count
Appellate decision: Votes on Bring Chicago Home referendum will count
Votes on Chicago’s March 19 referendum will count, according to an Illinois Appellate Court ruling. Now voters must weigh the merits of the real estate transfer tax hike.