Taxpayer victory: Cook County soda tax repealed
Taxpayer victory: Cook County soda tax repealed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.
Wheeling to use $1 million in TIF funds to build bridge to nowhere
Wheeling to use $1 million in TIF funds to build bridge to nowhere
Wheeling village trustees have voted for a plan to use tax increment financing to build a bridge to a vacant piece of land.
Preckwinkle admits soda tax was ‘first and foremost’ about revenue
Preckwinkle admits soda tax was ‘first and foremost’ about revenue
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle shared an admission that the soda tax was always about revenue.
Illinois home to higher ‘sin taxes’ than every neighboring state
Illinois home to higher ‘sin taxes’ than every neighboring state
Illinois ranks eighth in the nation for state and local excise and selective sales tax collections.
Illinois’ next tax hike could mean pain at the pump
Illinois’ next tax hike could mean pain at the pump
A proposed increase in gas taxes to pay for state infrastructure spending would impose another burden on overtaxed Illinoisans.
Chicago looks to add 50 “super” ticket writers to increase revenues
Chicago looks to add 50 “super” ticket writers to increase revenues
As Chicago faces a budget gap approaching $260 million, one alderman suggests more ticketing to close the shortfall.
State Rep. Dan Brady opposes raising gas taxes for state infrastructure needs
State Rep. Dan Brady opposes raising gas taxes for state infrastructure needs
Illinoisans already pay a variety of high taxes, including at the pump.
Illinois lawmakers stampede for the exit
Illinois lawmakers stampede for the exit
The most likely driver is pretty obvious to most Illinoisans: the rage of constituents.
Cook County beverage sales decline in wake of pop tax
Cook County beverage sales decline in wake of pop tax
A new report from Can the Tax and the Illinois Food Retailers Association shows that beverage sales for Cook County retailers are down since 2016.
Rauner vetoes cursive writing mandate
Rauner vetoes cursive writing mandate
A bill that would have mandated cursive writing instruction in public elementary schools contained an unknown cost for school districts.
Illinois state budget already in deficit despite record $5 billion tax hike
Illinois state budget already in deficit despite record $5 billion tax hike
With the 2018 budget set to spend at least $1.3 billion more than it takes in, members of the General Assembly have hoodwinked Illinoisans once again.