Budget + Tax

Illinois government has a lot of problems, revenue isn’t one of them

Illinois families deserve better than to be told the only real solution is in their pocketbooks.

Chicago alderman wants ‘robot tax’ on Amazon HQ2

Amazon pulled its HQ2 out of New York City, so Chicago is considering imposing a “robot tax” on companies looking to automate their way around high labor costs.

By Vincent Caruso

Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Highland Park family by up to $3,800

Middle-income families in Highland Park would see a massive tax hike under the “fair tax” models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

By Vincent Caruso

Property tax rates nearly double since 2007 as residents leave Harvey, Illinois

Declining home values and a shrinking tax base have created a bigger property tax burden for Harvey, Illinois, homeowners. For their higher taxes, residents get corruption, debt and fewer services.

By Vincent Caruso

Blank check: Illinois lawmakers file progressive income tax amendment

An amendment to scrap Illinois’ constitutional flat tax protection is gaining sponsors in the Illinois Senate. Lawmakers have refused to discuss rates since those details killed the last progressive tax attempt.

By Adam Schuster

Moody’s: New taxes could accelerate Illinois exodus

Ahead of Gov. Pritzker’s first budget address, one of the “big three” credit rating services warned the new governor against raising taxes.

By Vincent Caruso

Make no mistake, a progressive tax is a tax hike on you

Political promises aren’t much protection for middle class pocketbooks.

By Austin Berg

Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Kane County family by nearly $900

While progressive tax proponents champion the measure as a “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Kane County could see a significant tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

By Vincent Caruso

Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Arlington Heights family by up to $2,200

While progressive tax proponents champion the measure as a “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Arlington Heights would see a massive tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

By Vincent Caruso

$15 minimum wage hike to cost Illinois taxpayers $1.1B

As Pritzker’s minimum wage bill advances to the Senate floor for a vote, the new administration’s first major victory would come with a $1.1 billion price tag, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

By Vincent Caruso

House bill would lower all Illinois property tax levies by 10 percent

The proposal would lower all local governments’ property tax levies by 10 percent and then freeze them in Illinois. Any future increase would require voter approval.

By Vincent Caruso

Bipartisan township consolidation bill reintroduced in Springfield

Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the bill before leaving office, but bipartisan support in the General Assembly may send it back to the governor’s desk.

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

By Adam Schuster

Pritzker “fair” tax could hike taxes over $1,300 on typical Edwardsville family

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is arguing that Illinois should adopt income tax rates similar to neighboring Wisconsin and Iowa as a way to be more “competitive,” even though adopting those rates would mean tax hikes for middle-income families.