‘Home Alone’ with a $38,500 property tax bill
‘Home Alone’ with a $38,500 property tax bill
As pension costs explode for Winnetka and the rest of Illinois, owners of the “Home Alone” house featured in the 1990 film are feeling the effects.
Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge
Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge
The average American will spend around $800 on gifts this Christmas. But making those holiday buys in Illinois will leave many families wishing they could get more bang for their buck.
With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019
With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019
New Year brings new laws as the 100thGeneral Assembly ends. Here are a few wins for Illinois taxpayers.
Madigan-Pritzker progressive tax: 2019’s worst policy idea for Illinois’ middle class
Madigan-Pritzker progressive tax: 2019’s worst policy idea for Illinois’ middle class
Other states’ experiences show progressive taxes creep beyond the rich and into the pockets of the middle class.
Report: Illinois families average $331 in cellphone taxes, highest rate in nation
Report: Illinois families average $331 in cellphone taxes, highest rate in nation
Cellphone taxes increased nationwide – and Illinois moved up to be the top taxer. Add another $157 in tax on Chicagoans’ wireless bills.
Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge
Holiday shopping and the sales tax scrooge
Illinois' current patchwork of sales tax exemptions, oftentimes carved out by special interests, makes for poor policy.
Rahm to Springfield: State gas tax needs to at least double
Rahm to Springfield: State gas tax needs to at least double
Departing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel accelerated calls to boost Illinois’ gas tax to pay for local transportation projects.
Chicago anticipated to be nation’s weakest major housing market in 2019
Chicago anticipated to be nation’s weakest major housing market in 2019
A study by realtor.com ranks the Chicago region’s housing market slowest of 100 U.S. metro areas for 2019. That stat could be fixed, or made worse.
Rock Island County hikes property taxes by nearly 12 percent
Rock Island County hikes property taxes by nearly 12 percent
County board members narrowly voted to hike the county’s property tax levy by nearly 12 percent to make up for a $500,000 shortfall.
Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition
Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition
With the ratification of the 21st Amendment, 1933 marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. The Land of Lincoln, however, has continued to serve a cocktail of prohibitive regulations on alcoholic beverages.
Madison County makes history with generous taxpayer support of museum
Madison County makes history with generous taxpayer support of museum
Most county historical societies in Illinois rely on donations and memberships, but the Madison County Historical Society receives a generous infusion of tax dollars to run its museum and library. County leaders just cut the total, but why do they provide taxpayer support at all?
Highland Park to hike property tax levy nearly $1M to pay for pensions
Highland Park to hike property tax levy nearly $1M to pay for pensions
Citing public safety pension costs, the city is expected to approve another increase to its property tax levy.
Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike
Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike
Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is looking to make inroads on an increase in Illinois’ gas tax.
Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions
Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions
The city of Geneseo hiked its property tax levy by nearly 10 percent to pay for police pensions.