2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike
2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike
To address the city’s worsening financial crises, Chicago politicians turned up the dial on their usual answer to budgetary woes: raising taxes.
Illinois ends 2016 with nearly $11 billion in unpaid bills
Illinois ends 2016 with nearly $11 billion in unpaid bills
Though spending on government-worker salaries and pensions has grown at a rapid rate, many service providers and grant recipients are still awaiting payment.
$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
Income and sales taxes account for nearly two-thirds of state revenue.
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
For each percentage point drop in the private sector’s share of the state economy, Illinois household incomes fall by over $3,000 on average. Unfortunately for Illinoisans, the private sector’s share of the Illinois economy has dwindled as government’s share – enabled through tax-funded spending – has risen to 25 percent.
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois’ duplicative and overlapping units of government contribute to the state’s high property tax burden, but luckily some small steps have been taken to consolidate them.
4 tax hikes a taxpayer bill of rights could have prevented
4 tax hikes a taxpayer bill of rights could have prevented
In 2016, Chicago and Cook County officials approved new tax and fee hikes that will hit already overburdened residents. A taxpayer bill of rights could prevent politicians from constantly nickel-and-diming residents to make up for budget shortfalls.
How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare
How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare
After hundreds of waiting list deaths and an unsustainable enrollment explosion, Illinois policymakers must act swiftly to contain this growing nightmare. Thankfully, they have options.
Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO Don Orseno is set to receive a pay increase a month after Metra’s fare hike.
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
Veto session ends with almost no overrides, but lame duck looms in January
The failure of almost all potential veto overrides in 2016 is a victory for Illinois taxpayers.
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house
Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.
Illinois lawmakers are suing the state for their paychecks
Illinois lawmakers are suing the state for their paychecks
A group of state representatives has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger.
Reps. Franks and McSweeney look to tackle lame-duck tax hikes
Reps. Franks and McSweeney look to tackle lame-duck tax hikes
Lame-duck session allows lawmakers already ousted by voters to act with reckless abandon before leaving the Statehouse.
Rauner vetoes state bailout of CPS pensions
Rauner vetoes state bailout of CPS pensions
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the $215 million bailout of Chicago Public Schools’ ailing teachers’ pension fund.
Illinois legislators pitch proposals to stop lame-duck tax hikes
Illinois legislators pitch proposals to stop lame-duck tax hikes
Illinois needs structural reforms to fix its fiscal problems, not a tax hike by lawmakers on their way out the door.