Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit
Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit
Lawmakers may approve a statewide delivery tax on Doordash and Uber Eats to fund Chicago transit, hitting all Illinoisans who shop online, even those who don’t use CTA, Metra or Pace.
By LyLena Estabine
CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much
CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much
The Chicago Transit Authority’s 2026 budget includes scenarios dependent on state funding along with a 25-cent fare hike on bus and rail.
By Ravi Mishra
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget proposal includes a per-user tax on social media companies and a per-employee fee on businesses. The proposal does not include a property tax hike and supports the elimination of the grocery tax.
By Dylan Sharkey
Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families
Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families
Chicago homeowners on the South and West Sides are bracing for huge property tax hikes, driven by surging assessments and government spending tied to pensions.
By LyLena Estabine
DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained
DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained
Prices for DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and Illinois tolls might go up now to cover $1.5 billion for Illinois transit agencies. A real estate transfer tax for homes in the Chicago suburbs is also on the table.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills
Illinois taxpayers each owe $38,800 for state’s unpaid bills
Illinois taxpayers in 2024 owed an average of $38,800 each, ranking No. 3 in the U.S. Illinois earned an “F” for fiscal management.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago misses grocery tax deadline, saving shoppers $40M
Chicago misses grocery tax deadline, saving shoppers $40M
Chicago missed the Oct. 1 deadline to extend the grocery tax. Grocery shoppers will save $40 million for at least six months starting Jan. 1, 2026.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago finds 39 ways to get $1.65B more to spend
Chicago finds 39 ways to get $1.65B more to spend
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s task force outlined 39 ways to raise up to $1.65 billion to close Chicago’s 2026 budget deficit. More taxes is the wrong answer.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession
Pritzker blames Trump for cuts, but Illinois is high risk for recession
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state agencies need to trim 4%, blaming President Donald Trump and a slowing national economy. Illinois’ economic woes started long before Trump.
By Dylan Sharkey
Uber surcharge, property taxes, liquor prices: Chicago’s push for new taxes
Uber surcharge, property taxes, liquor prices: Chicago’s push for new taxes
New taxes on Uber, automatic property tax hikes and higher liquor taxes are all being pushed as Chicago leaders seek to spend $1 billion more than they will have.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois sports betting taxes 5th highest in nation, highest in Midwest
Illinois sports betting taxes 5th highest in nation, highest in Midwest
Sports betting in Illinois comes with the fifth-highest taxes in the nation. Users on FanDuel, DraftKings or other sites had new fees start in September – just in time for the NFL regular season.
By Dylan Sharkey
Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it
Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it
Peoria Heights’ mayor vetoed a grocery tax, saying the village would not balance its budget on the backs of families at the grocery checkout. Now Chicago is considering taking $73.5 million through the tax.
By Brad Weisenstein
$3.3B in road funds sit idle, yet Illinois drivers face record-high gas taxes
$3.3B in road funds sit idle, yet Illinois drivers face record-high gas taxes
If Illinois state lawmakers are not going to spend the $3.3 billion sitting in the state’s road fund, drivers should get a break from the taxes going into it. Illinois gasoline taxes are No. 2 in the U.S.
By Ravi Mishra
New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it
New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it
Apple’s new iPhone launch on Sept. 9 may be a celebration for tech consumers, but it also makes the Illinois taxman smile. Illinois already had the nation’s highest tax rate on cell phone plans before it bumped up even more July 1.
By Dylan Sharkey