Illinois lawmakers hike 911 fees statewide, override Rauner’s veto
Illinois lawmakers hike 911 fees statewide, override Rauner’s veto
Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto nixing fee hikes from a 911 service reauthorization bill lawmakers sent to his desk, noting Illinoisans already pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on their cellphones. But those fee hikes will become law, as lawmakers have voted to override the governor’s veto.
By Austin Berg
Alcohol taxes make Illinois’ Independence Day celebrations costlier
Alcohol taxes make Illinois’ Independence Day celebrations costlier
Taxes on alcoholic beverages in Illinois are among the highest in the Midwest.
By John Kristof
How much will the $5 billion tax hike cost your family?
How much will the $5 billion tax hike cost your family?
Use our tax hike calculator to find out how much the permanent 32% income tax rate hike will cost you.
By Craig Lesner
Illinois House passes permanent income tax hike
Illinois House passes permanent income tax hike
More than a dozen Republicans joined House Democrats in passing a budget that includes a massive tax hike and no structural spending reforms. Gov. Bruce Rauner said he would veto the plan.
By Austin Berg
Illinois House amendment includes permanent income tax hike
Illinois House amendment includes permanent income tax hike
House Floor Amendment No. 2 to Senate Bill 9 would permanently increase the individual income tax rate to 4.95 percent and the corporate income tax rate to 7 percent, but would not expand the state sales tax to services.
By Marianna Schmiesing
Judge halts Cook County sugary drinks tax
Judge halts Cook County sugary drinks tax
The Cook County sugary drinks tax was set to go into effect July 1, but a circuit court judge has temporarily blocked the implementation of the tax in response to a lawsuit opposing it.
Rauner strips fee hikes from 911 funding bill
Rauner strips fee hikes from 911 funding bill
Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto nixing fee hikes from a 911 service reauthorization bill lawmakers sent to his desk. Illinoisans already pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on their cellphones.
By Austin Berg
Republicans lining up votes for $5 billion tax hike
Republicans lining up votes for $5 billion tax hike
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin said he’s putting GOP votes on the spending plan that relies on more than $5 billion in new taxes.
By Greg Bishop
Day 9: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Day 9: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Nine days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $450,000 for just over two hours of work.
By Eric Kohn
5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget
5 things Illinoisans need to know about House Democrats’ budget
Much like other plans in the General Assembly before it, the House Democrats’ budget plan does nothing to structurally reform state government and bring down costs, but instead increases the burden on Illinois taxpayers.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
4 reasons Illinois Republicans should ditch the tax talk
4 reasons Illinois Republicans should ditch the tax talk
Polling shows that Illinoisans are overwhelmingly opposed to an income tax hike, and Illinois’ poor economic growth combined with wealth out-migration mean billions in tax hikes will only inflict further damage on a struggling state.
By Michael Lucci
Tax hike budget is politically risky for Rauner, Illinois Republicans
Tax hike budget is politically risky for Rauner, Illinois Republicans
A new poll shows Gov. Bruce Rauner’s political base opposes the tax hike budget proposal the governor has supported. And Illinoisans who favor the tax hike budget proposal do not support Rauner.
By Kristina Rasmussen
Illinois Republican spending plan packed with millions in waste
Illinois Republican spending plan packed with millions in waste
Despite calls for new taxes from Republican lawmakers, Senate Bill 2216 contains funding for several grants across the state.
By John Kristof
Payments to Illinois lottery winners will be delayed without passage of state budget
Payments to Illinois lottery winners will be delayed without passage of state budget
The Illinois Lottery will cease awarding prizes over $25,000 if a budget is not signed by July 1.
By John Kristof