New Illinois financial documents expose ‘fair tax’ absurdity
New Illinois financial documents expose ‘fair tax’ absurdity
Illinois’ two major income tax hikes were major failures.
McHenry County home values down 33%, property taxes up 0.4% since recession
McHenry County home values down 33%, property taxes up 0.4% since recession
Without true pension reform, McHenry County homeowners will only continue to see the gap between their property taxes and home values grow.
CTU demands would cost taxpayers an additional $397 million
CTU demands would cost taxpayers an additional $397 million
The Chicago Teachers Union has threatened to strike over contract demands that would cost taxpayers an extra $397 million in the first year. Chicago teachers already make more than other big city peers.
Cook County commission exploring property tax hike despite depressed home values
Cook County commission exploring property tax hike despite depressed home values
Average home prices in Cook County are 31% lower today than in 2007. Meanwhile, property tax bills have increased by 22%.
Illinois income tax hikes failed to fix state finances
Illinois income tax hikes failed to fix state finances
In a single year, Illinoisans witnessed their state’s net worth drop by a staggering 35%, or $47.4 billion, despite shouldering the largest permanent income tax hike in state history.
Taxpayer support for southwestern Illinois airport hits $104.3 million
Taxpayer support for southwestern Illinois airport hits $104.3 million
Each year St. Clair County, Illinois, taxpayers must add money to keep MidAmerica St. Louis Airport open. While passenger traffic is increasing, so are expenses.
Illinois K-12 school districts losing students, gaining administrators
Illinois K-12 school districts losing students, gaining administrators
Despite shrinking populations of students and teachers, Illinois school districts have continued to grow their administrative bodies.
Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales
Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales
Chicago’s mayor wants permission from Springfield to impose a new tax on high-end professional services and raise taxes on pricier home sales, as the city faces down a $1 billion deficit.
Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
Doubled gas tax creates losers in Illinois, winners across state lines
Station owners said Illinois businesses were damaged July 1 when the gasoline tax doubled. Tax increases are keeping Illinois pumps quiet and cooling cigarette sales.
Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending
More than 9,000 Illinois school district administrators earn more than $100,000 a year. Each of them will collect at least $3 million in pension benefits during retirement.
Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
Chicago defends title of highest sales tax rate in the nation
Chicago is tied with two other cities for the highest sales tax rates for a major U.S. city, adding another superlative for taxation of residents and visitors.
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
Lake in the Hills approves over 9% hike to police pension levy
The village will dedicate an estimated $1.5 million dollars to its police pension fund in 2019 – 9.17% more than it paid last year.
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007
Without true pension reform, property taxes are only bound to continue swamping Cook County homeowners.