Illinois tax rates rank No. 1: highest in U.S.
Illinois tax rates rank No. 1: highest in U.S.
Illinoisans now pay the highest combined state and local tax rates in the nation. Those taxes take more than 15% of their household income each year.
Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices
Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is considering a repeal of Chicago’s 8-cent-per-gallon gas tax to alleviate record-breaking prices. State gas taxes doubled in 2019 and state leaders are also considering a repeal.
After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers
After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers
March 12 marks two years of life under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency powers. It is time lawmakers had a say in how long those powers last.
Pritzker fact check: College applications up because high schools now require them
Pritzker fact check: College applications up because high schools now require them
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently boasted Illinois was No. 1 for growth in high school applications for college aid. He failed to mention state law now makes students complete the application if they want to graduate.
Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19
Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19
City property taxes rose 30% faster than in suburban Cook County from 2000 to 2019. Record inflation in 2022 will bring increases statewide in 2023.
Illinoisans pay highest sales taxes in Midwest, 8th highest in nation
Illinoisans pay highest sales taxes in Midwest, 8th highest in nation
Illinois’ combined state and average local retail sales tax rate topped 8.8% in 2022. That’s the 8th-highest in the nation and the highest in the Midwest.
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Fact check: Pritzker’s proposed tax ‘relief’ only temporary
Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign boast is how he’s providing relief for families, but none of it is permanent. He created much of the problem, and all the tax relief he’s proposing would expire after the election.
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Pritzker ad fact check: Illinois only paid bills on time because of federal aid
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him for paying the state’s bills on time. The commercial fails to mention the influx of federal stimulus for the COVID-19 pandemic that kept Illinois’ finances afloat.
Pritzker ad fact check: No, the governor has never balanced a state budget
Pritzker ad fact check: No, the governor has never balanced a state budget
In one of his first re-election political TV ads, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes credit for passing a balanced budget. Budget documents tell a different story, showing a deficit instead of the reported surplus.
Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax
Illinois bill could create new 3-cent per gallon local gas tax
House Bill 4424 would give every Illinois municipal government the power to impose a 3-cent per gallon tax on gas without first gaining the approval of local taxpayers at the polls.
Valentine’s Day gets pricier for Illinois couples in 2022
Valentine’s Day gets pricier for Illinois couples in 2022
Couples’ wallets won’t feel the love this holiday as inflation soars and Illinois taxes kill the mood. Here’s how much extra a little romance will cost this Valentine’s Day.
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
Despite claims Illinois’ budget was “balanced,” a closer look shows federal stimulus money propped it up. Only long-term reform on pensions, taxes, health care and school district consolidation can balance state finances and end 21 years of deficits.
Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries
Illinois is only big state to charge a tax on groceries
Illinois is one of the few states that taxes groceries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is suggesting a suspension of the 1% grocery tax to help struggling families. Some lawmakers said if Pritzker really wants to help, he needs to end grocery sales taxes.
Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax
Pritzker proposes gas tax freeze after doubling gas tax
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed a delay in the automatic state gas tax hikes he ushered in when he doubled the tax. The election-year temporary relief should become a permanent repeal.