How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
Joe Ocol is taking his South Side chess team to one of the nation’s premier tournaments. But he needs help paying their way.
Illinois homeowners need relief, but don’t be duped by fake property tax reform
Illinois homeowners need relief, but don’t be duped by fake property tax reform
Effective property tax reform must rein in the government costs that drive up taxes.
Puerto Rico’s ‘bankruptcy’ a warning to Illinois
Puerto Rico’s ‘bankruptcy’ a warning to Illinois
Illinois needs to enact structural spending reforms to avoid following Puerto Rico down the path to insolvency.
Illinois gave Glassdoor more than $6M in tax breaks in 2016
Illinois gave Glassdoor more than $6M in tax breaks in 2016
Glassdoor agreed to three sets of hiring dates in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in which the job-finding website would hire 240 new employees.
How Illinois can prepare for the Trump tax reforms
How Illinois can prepare for the Trump tax reforms
Local lawmakers should consider Trump’s plan and position the state to thrive under federal changes.
5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals
5 consequences of Illinois’ bad budget deals
Another Band-Aid budget deal won’t fix the financial problems that plague Illinois or stop the state’s credit rating from falling to junk.
Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes
Southern Illinois’ wide range of property taxes
Jackson County has the highest median property taxes among the southernmost counties in Illinois, and falls in the state’s top 50 counties for highest property taxes. Meanwhile, Hardin County residents pay the lowest median property taxes in the state.
How Trump’s tax proposals would affect Illinois
How Trump’s tax proposals would affect Illinois
The corporate tax reforms under President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan could strengthen Illinois’ position as a home for businesses, but the state’s uncompetitive income, property and death tax policies would put its residents at an even greater disadvantage with respect to other states if the president’s plan passes.
Illinois House passes bill to allow dissolution of township road districts
Illinois House passes bill to allow dissolution of township road districts
House Bill 607 would allow for the consolidation of a duplicative layer of government, something Illinois taxpayers desperately need.
Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
Decatur property taxes put the hurt on remaining residents
With an average property tax bill of more than $2,000 a year, Decatur continues to hike taxes on a shrinking population.
Laura and Phil Valdez
Laura and Phil Valdez
“Our property taxes are 12 percent of our income. And this is an unincorporated area. “All our neighbors complain about it. People at work complain about it. You read so much about it. There’s a high level of frustration. Because they see what’s happening to their pocketbooks. They’re feeling the effects of it. “On property...
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
Illinois’ April 30 Tax Freedom Day tied for latest in Midwest
When it comes to taxes, everyone works for the government. Illinoisans worked 120 days – from Jan. 1 until April 30 – to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Illinois Tollway approves $4 billion Tri-State widening project
Despite the massive size and scope of the project to widen the Tri-State, the Illinois Tollway board suggests new tolls and taxes won’t be needed – but history shows that promises related to tolls in Illinois haven’t held up in the past.
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Illinois on track to become first ‘junk’-rated state in nation
Credit rating agencies have warned Illinois’ credit could slide into junk territory if the legislative session ends in May without a budget deal to get the state’s finances back on track.