Budget + Tax Archives - Page 194 of 279

Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge

The average American will spend around $800 on gifts this Christmas. But making those holiday buys in Illinois will leave many families wishing they could get more bang for their buck.

By Austin Berg

With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019

New Year brings new laws as the 100thGeneral Assembly ends. Here are a few wins for Illinois taxpayers.

Madigan-Pritzker progressive tax: 2019’s worst policy idea for Illinois’ middle class

Other states’ experiences show progressive taxes creep beyond the rich and into the pockets of the middle class.

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

Report: Illinois families average $331 in cellphone taxes, highest rate in nation

Cellphone taxes increased nationwide – and Illinois moved up to be the top taxer. Add another $157 in tax on Chicagoans’ wireless bills.

By Vincent Caruso

Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge

Illinois' current patchwork of sales tax exemptions, oftentimes carved out by special interests, makes for poor policy.

By Austin Berg

Rahm to Springfield: State gas tax needs to at least double

Departing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel accelerated calls to boost Illinois’ gas tax to pay for local transportation projects.

By Vincent Caruso

Chicago anticipated to be nation’s weakest major housing market in 2019

A study by realtor.com ranks the Chicago region’s housing market slowest of 100 U.S. metro areas for 2019. That stat could be fixed, or made worse.

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

Rock Island County hikes property taxes by nearly 12 percent

County board members narrowly voted to hike the county’s property tax levy by nearly 12 percent to make up for a $500,000 shortfall.

By Janelle Cammenga

Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition

With the ratification of the 21st Amendment, 1933 marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. The Land of Lincoln, however, has continued to serve a cocktail of prohibitive regulations on alcoholic beverages.

By Vincent Caruso

Madison County makes history with generous taxpayer support of museum

Most county historical societies in Illinois rely on donations and memberships, but the Madison County Historical Society receives a generous infusion of tax dollars to run its museum and library. County leaders just cut the total, but why do they provide taxpayer support at all?

By Brad Weisenstein

Highland Park to hike property tax levy nearly $1M to pay for pensions

Citing public safety pension costs, the city is expected to approve another increase to its property tax levy.

Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike

Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is looking to make inroads on an increase in Illinois’ gas tax.

By Vincent Caruso

Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions

The city of Geneseo hiked its property tax levy by nearly 10 percent to pay for police pensions.

By Janelle Cammenga

Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions

Pressured by police pension costs, Norridge trustees voted to hike the village’s property tax levy by more than 35 percent.

By Vincent Caruso