Budget + Tax

Progressive income taxes in Illinois’ neighboring states target middle-class workers

Progressive tax proposals by Illinois Democrats would punish those in Illinois’ middle class who earn $50,000 or more and make the state even less competitive with its neighbors.

By Ted Dabrowski, Evelyn Hussey

What’s a junk bond and why Illinois will be America’s first “junk” state

Illinois’ bonds are currently priced like they are junk-rated.

By Michael Lucci

Powerball, Mega Millions to drop Illinois by June 30 due to budget crisis

Popular lotteries may stop gambling on Illinois.

By John Kristof

Illinois’ neighboring states boast better credit ratings, economies

Illinois’ credit rating spirals downward while residents flee to surrounding states with stronger economies and lower taxes.

By Kevin Angell

7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers

The budget plan proposed by Republican General Assembly members would raise taxes by over $5 billion without enacting any significant spending reforms.

By Craig Lesner, John Klingner

Property taxes in northwest Chicago suburbs to spike by $560 on average

Lawmakers need to enact comprehensive property tax reform to provide relief for overburdened state taxpayers.

By John Kristof

House Republicans’ 4-year property tax freeze fails homeowners

Local spending drivers need to be reformed to truly relieve taxpayers of Illinois’ highest-in-the-nation property taxes.

By John Klingner, Craig Lesner

Illinois Republicans’ budget plan hikes taxes by $5 billion

The Republican plan hits Illinoisans in fiscal year 2018 with the same $5 billion-plus tax hike from the “grand bargain” plan that failed in May. That plan starts with a 33 percent income tax increase, and includes questionable new taxes on services such as Netflix, laundry services and more.

By Craig Lesner, John Klingner

Forgotten Illinois: Round Lake – united by nature, divided on paper

Lake County lies about 40 miles north of Chicago’s congested urban landscape. With more than 100 lakes within county lines, the place is aptly named and offers a stark contrast to the nearby city. The Rev. Lisle Kauffman, looking over one of those lakes – Round Lake – still admires it more than four decades...

Lakewood, Ill., votes to eliminate TIF district

The Lakewood Village Board’s decision to end a 2015 TIF district is a win for local taxpayers.

By Ted Dabrowski, Evelyn Hussey

Wasteful TIF spending in Belleville

As property tax bills land in mailboxes in Madison and St. Clair counties, TIF districts sap local tax dollars.

By Chris Lentino

Moody’s downgrades 7 Illinois universities, 5 are junk

Illinois universities have hiked tuition and relied on state subsidies to pay for exorbitant administrative salaries — and now credit rating agencies are punishing them for that destructive behavior.

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

Lakewood right to push for elimination of TIF district

The village board of Lakewood, Illinois, will decide whether to keep a TIF district approved in 2015 in a vote scheduled for June 13.

By Ted Dabrowski, Evelyn Hussey

Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass

House Bill 2379 would require fiscal impact statements on every executive order. However, less than 3 percent of bills enacted into law in the 99th General Assembly had fiscal notes.