Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Chicago’s budget has grown much faster than inflation, leaving taxpayers to endure higher costs without receiving better services. Implementing a spending cap linked to inflation could have kept costs under control, helping prevent future deficits
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT, Amazon Web Services and Zoom would all come with higher prices under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cloud tax.
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the 2026 budget as “Protecting Chicago,” but his plan seems to do the opposite. Taxes on Artificial Intelligence, Uber rides and companies with 100+ employees are the biggest revenue sources.
Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”
Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the Chicago Economic Club Oct. 21 that he absolutely opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to revive the corporate “head tax” as part of his new budget proposal.
Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties
Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties
Illinois risks millions in penalties under new federal law because of errors in determining who qualifies for food assistance. To protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $21 per employee corporate “head tax”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $21 per employee corporate “head tax”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a $21-per-employee monthly tax on large companies to help fill a nearly $1.2 billion shortfall. Business leaders and even a former mayor say the “head tax” could kill job creation and new investment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.