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?
By Brad Weisenstein
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.
By Vincent Caruso
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.
By Janelle Cammenga
Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions
Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions
Pressured by police pension costs, Norridge trustees voted to hike the village’s property tax levy by more than 35 percent.
By Vincent Caruso
Chicago slaps PlayStation users with expansion of 9 percent amusement tax
Chicago slaps PlayStation users with expansion of 9 percent amusement tax
PlayStation users will now see an extra 9 percent tax applied to some purchases on the platform.
McHenry County township consolidation bill advances to Senate floor
McHenry County township consolidation bill advances to Senate floor
The bill would make it easier for McHenry County residents to dissolve the county’s 17 townships at the ballot box – and find relief through tax savings.
By Vincent Caruso
Senate overrides Rauner veto on bill proposing new car-sharing taxes, regulations
Senate overrides Rauner veto on bill proposing new car-sharing taxes, regulations
Senate lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto of a lobbyist-backed bill aiming to sideswipe car-sharing startups with new taxes and regulations. The bill returns to the House.
By Vincent Caruso
DuPage County voters brake hard on per-mile driving tax
DuPage County voters brake hard on per-mile driving tax
Voters in DuPage County strongly oppose a per-mile driving tax – a measure Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker has floated in the past.
By Vincent Caruso
High rise: Evanston voters create a progressive ‘mansion tax’
High rise: Evanston voters create a progressive ‘mansion tax’
An increase in Evanston’s “mansion tax” will tighten the city’s squeeze on property owners making their way out the door.
By Vincent Caruso
Lame ducks: What Illinois taxpayers should watch for in veto session
Lame ducks: What Illinois taxpayers should watch for in veto session
Lawmakers, including 37 lame duck legislators, on Nov. 13 convened in Springfield for a veto session likely to feature political pensions and unfunded mandates.
Illinois’ richest governor, meet the nation’s most powerful state lawmaker
Illinois’ richest governor, meet the nation’s most powerful state lawmaker
Pritzker’s money could offer Madigan’s House members cover should they dare to go against the speaker.
By Austin Berg
Gas tax hike may be around the corner for Gov.-elect JB Pritzker
Gas tax hike may be around the corner for Gov.-elect JB Pritzker
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly gunning for a transportation bill that could come with an increase in the gas tax.
By Austin Berg
Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard
Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard
Voters just north of Cook County scrap an unnecessary layer of local government and its six-figure commissioner.
By Vincent Caruso