The audacity of broke
The audacity of broke
Illinois is broke. But leaders don’t act like it.
Proposed bill would prohibit unfunded mandates, require revenue for all discretionary spending
Proposed bill would prohibit unfunded mandates, require revenue for all discretionary spending
The Taxpayer Fiscal Charter Act would demand funding transparency before spending bills make their way out of Springfield.
Controversial assessments have history of appeals by Burke and Madigan
Controversial assessments have history of appeals by Burke and Madigan
An order currently under consideration by Chicago City Council challenges the assessments of seven properties, four of which have been the subject of property tax appeals by the law firms of Chicago Alderman Ed Burke or Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery
Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery
Illinois will not diverge from its path of poor growth until lawmakers realize the failures of recent tax hikes.
Naperville aims to raise taxes on cellphones, Airbnb
Naperville aims to raise taxes on cellphones, Airbnb
Illinois' fifth-largest city is moving to raise taxes on telecommunications and hotels, and fold homesharing into the latter.
Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider
Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider
Under the guise of rehabilitating underserved communities, Chicago City Council approved another tax transfer to a private company.
Chicago aldermen move to challenge lowball assessments on some of Chicago’s priciest properties
Chicago aldermen move to challenge lowball assessments on some of Chicago’s priciest properties
Alderman Ricardo Munoz's proposal highlights seven expensive properties in or around the Loop that aldermen contend were underassessed, shifting the property tax burden to other property owners.
New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships
New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships
House Bill 4244 would give McHenry County voters an easier path to having a choice in eliminating their township governments, encouraging consolidation in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
Why the 2017 tax hikes will harm Illinois’ economy
Why the 2017 tax hikes will harm Illinois’ economy
The 2011 tax hikes cost the state economy $55.8 billion in real GDP from 2012-2016.
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
With statewide elections in November, the 2018 forecast calls for gridlock.
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Robert Martwick are all involved in the clout-heavy cottage industry of property tax appeals.
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
The village of Lakewood is making encouraging reforms in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.