Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools budget shortfall: a manufactured crisis
Chicago Public Schools is faced with the possibility of closing school early while Chicago sits on massive property wealth.
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Homeowners in collar counties pay highest property taxes in Illinois
Residents of Chicago’s collar counties pay the highest property taxes in the state – and some of the highest in the country.
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed
Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
Chicago aldermen propose $33 per employee ‘head tax’ on city employers
At a time when businesses are fleeing the state, a group of Chicago aldermen are attempting to revive the employer’s expense tax to bail out Chicago Public Schools.
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Illinois lawmakers passed 938 bills that became law from 2015 to 2017 – just 3% had a price tag
Despite Illinois’ severe financial problems, less than 3 percent of bills passed by the 99th General Assembly and enacted into law have fiscal notes.
McHenry County Board votes to cut tax levy by 10 percent
McHenry County Board votes to cut tax levy by 10 percent
In a bipartisan effort to cut McHenry County’s local tax burden, the McHenry County Board voted overwhelmingly in favor of a pledge to cut the county tax levy by 10 percent. The board chairman has intimated he will pursue further local government consolidation efforts.
Illinois is losing its core income tax base
Illinois is losing its core income tax base
High-income earners provide the majority of Illinois’ income tax revenue, and IRS data show that Illinois is losing these taxpayers to out-migration.
Central Illinois suffers while legislators take spring break
Central Illinois suffers while legislators take spring break
Illinois hasn’t had a budget in two years. And it’s been more than 15 years since the state had a balanced budget. But lawmakers – who are currently on a two-week spring break – continue to be paid.
Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break
Greater Chicago area lawmakers ignore needed reforms, head on spring break
While Chicago-area taxpayers struggle under a heavy tax burden, lawmakers – who continue to ignore reforms the state desperately needs – are now on a two-week vacation.
Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?
Tax Day 2017: Where does Illinois’ $38.1 billion in tax revenue come from?
About two-thirds of state revenue comes from income and sales taxes.
The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes
The damaging effects of Chicagoland’s latest tax hikes
Chicagoans have been burdened with a slew of new taxes and the full damage has yet to be felt. A state income tax hike, like the one proposed in the Illinois Senate’s so-called “grand bargain,” would only further harm struggling Chicagoans.
Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services
Illinois lawmakers want to tax laundry, storage unit services
Senate Bill 9 would apply a 6.25 percent sales tax to laundry, dry cleaning, storage units and parking garages, among other services.
While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break
While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break
Local state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, are still getting paid even though the state still does not have a balanced budget.