Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest
Illinois sales taxes highest in Midwest
Combined state and average local sales tax rate tallies 8.85% in Illinois for 2024. That’s the highest in the Midwest and seventh highest in the nation.
Our perspective: Chicago should use all federal COVID funds before hiking taxes for housing problems
Our perspective: Chicago should use all federal COVID funds before hiking taxes for housing problems
Before asking voters to approve a “mansion tax,” why not tap unspent federal pandemic aid dollars to reduce homelessness?
Vallas: Mayor Johnson should learn from LA that ‘mansion tax’ is a failure
Vallas: Mayor Johnson should learn from LA that ‘mansion tax’ is a failure
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s mansion tax idea failed in Los Angeles, something his recent trip there should have shown him. Here’s why it promises to drag down Chicago businesses in an already hostile environment and shift costs to homeowners.
Chicago vote-by-mail begins for Illinois primary, Johnson’s tax hike
Chicago vote-by-mail begins for Illinois primary, Johnson’s tax hike
Chicagoans will see their March 19 primary ballots in their mailboxes starting Feb. 8. The last question is on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s tax hike plan.
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.
Illinois No. 2 in the nation for gas taxes
Illinois No. 2 in the nation for gas taxes
Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest gas taxes behind only Californians, thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes. The next gas tax hike is scheduled for July 1.
Chicago labor unions refuse to back mayor’s ‘mansion tax’
Chicago labor unions refuse to back mayor’s ‘mansion tax’
Fears of what it would do to Chicago’s housing market and economy led a group of Chicago trade unions to refuse to endorse Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to increase a city tax on real estate sales.
Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis
Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis
The Chicago Teachers Union’s answer is always “more money.” But the question is why Chicago’s students are doing so poorly when there’s more money than ever to teach fewer of them.
Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois businesses pay the nation’s second-highest corporate income tax rates. Chicago is considering taxing them more.
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
An embattled Chicago-area township supervisor is being accused of discouraging competition ahead of her campaign by cutting the position’s pay if she loses. It may be illegal, but someone would need to sue.
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
The Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance to effectively ban natural gas in most new buildings, including gas stoves. Energy providers warn the policy could double heating costs for Chicago homes.
Dry January savings: Illinois wine taxes 4x higher than New York, California
Dry January savings: Illinois wine taxes 4x higher than New York, California
Illinois’ excise tax on wine is more than 4 times higher than the same bottle in New York or California. Buying in Chicago adds extra tax layers, hitting 6 times the taxes of other big cities.
Chicago’s casino nearly $10M short of 2023 expectations
Chicago’s casino nearly $10M short of 2023 expectations
Bally’s temporary casino in Medinah Temple handed Chicago $3 million since its opening in September, $9.6 million below original projections.
Vallas: Fix Chicago’s affordable housing needs without tax hikes
Vallas: Fix Chicago’s affordable housing needs without tax hikes
They call it a “mansion tax” that can “Bring Chicago Home,” but those are false labels that hide a tax threat to the city’s economic health. There are better ways to create affordable housing and help homeless Chicagoans.