30 years later, taxpayers still on the hook for White Sox stadium
30 years later, taxpayers still on the hook for White Sox stadium
While the name of the home stadium for the Chicago White Sox has changed over the years, its status as a tax burden has not.
By Eddie Damstra
Moody’s: Janus win potentially credit positive for Illinois
Moody’s: Janus win potentially credit positive for Illinois
A landmark case on worker freedom could have positive effects on Illinois’ fiscal health, according to a leading ratings agency.
By Adam Schuster
Springfield’s progressive tax supporters would bring tax hikes to their districts under leading proposal
Springfield’s progressive tax supporters would bring tax hikes to their districts under leading proposal
Scrapping Illinois’ flat income tax protection would open the door for massive tax hikes on the state’s middle class.
By Bryce Hill
Former Madigan aide due $130,000 for unused vacation, sick time
Former Madigan aide due $130,000 for unused vacation, sick time
Tim Mapes is also in line for a six-figure pension.
By Austin Berg
Springfield arena a multimillion-dollar drain on local taxpayers
Springfield arena a multimillion-dollar drain on local taxpayers
As part of a large and growing property tax bill, Springfield area taxpayers have to bail out the Bank of Springfield Center.
Cook County property tax bills set to increase by 5 percent
Cook County property tax bills set to increase by 5 percent
Chicago homeowners will see their property tax bills rise by an average of $110 this summer. But suburban residents and business owners should also prepare for a hike.
Candy crush: Illinois slaps sales tax on Snickers, but not Twix
Candy crush: Illinois slaps sales tax on Snickers, but not Twix
State lawmakers should reform Illinois’ overly complicated sales taxes and other anti-business taxes, which violate guiding principles of sound tax policy.
By Travis Nix
Illinois’ rainy day fund would cover only 81 seconds of state spending
Illinois’ rainy day fund would cover only 81 seconds of state spending
The Land of Lincoln's meager rainy day fund would leave the state exposed in the event of another recession.
Taxpayer-funded Wintrust Arena falls short of attendance projections
Taxpayer-funded Wintrust Arena falls short of attendance projections
With attendance for DePaul men’s basketball games falling short of projections, taxpayers are footing the bill for another disappointing sports bet.
By Eddie Damstra
U.S. Supreme Court decision opens door for repeal of obscure Illinois tax
U.S. Supreme Court decision opens door for repeal of obscure Illinois tax
Illinois is expected to raise an additional $200 million in sales tax revenue due to changes in the new state budget and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. Lawmakers should offset this expansion of the sales tax by ending a $200 million harmful tax on business investment.
By Adam Schuster, Travis Nix
New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
New Illinois budget includes $224 million for Obama Presidential Center
The state’s fiscal year 2019 budget is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion.
By Eddie Damstra
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes
Nearly 600 bills are on their way to the governor, some of which would be encouraging changes to the status quo.
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes
House Bill 4237 seeks to get around Congress’ limitation of a federal deduction that benefits high-tax states, but residents would be better served by efforts to directly reduce state and local taxes in Illinois.
By Travis Nix