Budget + Tax

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow through Illinois state government.1 These flows all depend on methods of payment. In deciding on those payment methods, policymakers must consider a number of important factors, including security controls, cost effectiveness, accessibility, speed and allowance for choice. This report shows that by adopting best practices across all...

Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year

Taxes alone hike the average Illinois cellphone bill by 31%.

By Brad Weisenstein

Bill aims to pay Illinois lawmakers only for days they actually work

Lawmakers can currently work one day to qualify for a whole month’s pay. A bill to change that has been stuck in committee since the spring.

Lightfoot asks Springfield for progressive ‘exit tax’ on Chicago property sales

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants state lawmakers to let her impose progressively higher real estate transfer tax rates to close a $838 million budget deficit. She faces a limited time window and resistance from state lawmakers.

By Brad Weisenstein

With Illinois on deck, state tax hikes just lost big at the ballot box

If other states’ recent tax votes are any indication, Pritzker’s proposal could be a tougher sell than he thinks.

By Austin Berg

Pritzker’s flawed ‘fair tax’ plan already failed Californians

Illinoisans should learn from the Golden State’s “fair tax” failure, lessons that state leaders ignore.

By Orphe Divounguy

Governor’s office uses Illinois economic report to push ‘fair tax’ falsehoods

An annual financial report from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office forecasts a gloomy fiscal future for Illinois and pushes his false choice between dire spending cuts or a flawed progressive tax plan.

By Vincent Caruso

Chicago teachers no longer can save 40 sick days for retirement: now it’s 244

Pension benefits consume 25% of Chicago Public Schools’ budget. The new Chicago Teachers Union contract increases bankable sick days six-fold, increasing pension costs and taking more from classrooms.

By Vincent Caruso

5 broken tax promises show why Illinois voters distrust Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

From the lottery, to the tollway, to two “temporary” income tax hikes, Illinois politicians have a history of broken promises about how they tax and spend residents’ money.

By Adam Schuster

Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge

State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.

By Austin Berg

California’s ‘fair tax’ hike spurred taxpayer exodus, hurt middle class and went mostly to pensions

New academic research on a progressive income tax hike in California should be a warning to Illinois voters deciding on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax hike in November 2020.

By Orphe Divounguy

Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’

Gov. J.B. Pritzker just bumped up funding for road construction to a non-existent airport to $205.5 million, paid in part with his doubled gas tax. The airport remains a distant idea, but the road will soon be concrete.

Downtown diners would pay 11.75% tax on restaurant bills under Lightfoot proposal

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed a $20 million tax on dining out to help fill the city’s $838 million budget shortfall.

By Vincent Caruso

More than 1 in 3 joint filers in Wilmette would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

Voters statewide will decide whether 2,800 Wilmette taxpayers should send $75 million in additional income taxes to Springfield.

By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill