Illinois first to rely on ‘lender of last resort’ borrowing from Federal Reserve
Illinois first to rely on ‘lender of last resort’ borrowing from Federal Reserve
Illinois' credit rating is just one notch above junk, the lowest of any U.S. state.
Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1
Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1
State lawmakers last summer doubled Illinois’ gas tax to help pay for capital projects. Each year the gas tax automatically rises, shielding lawmakers from responsibility for hikes.
Illinois sales tax revenues down 24% in May amid strict lockdown
Illinois sales tax revenues down 24% in May amid strict lockdown
Monthly sales tax collections in Illinois continued sharp declines compared to one year earlier amid strict COVID-19 restrictions. Neighboring states with more open economies fared better.
Pritzker signs budget out of balance by $6B
Pritzker signs budget out of balance by $6B
Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout.
5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers
5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers
Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.
Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise
Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise
Illinois lawmakers are still likely to receive a $1,800 pay raise. But some have tried their best to make no waves by giving themselves cover from backlash.
Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers
With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.
Illinois lawmakers returning to deal with $7B budget hole, COVID-19 fallout
Illinois lawmakers returning to deal with $7B budget hole, COVID-19 fallout
What to watch for as the Illinois General Assembly convenes for the first time in more than two months.
Illinois lawmakers introduce resolution to take progressive income tax off ballot
Illinois lawmakers introduce resolution to take progressive income tax off ballot
Removing the progressive tax question from the Nov. 3 ballot would give over 100,000 small businesses some certainty as they struggle to recover from the COVID-19 shutdown.
Progressive income tax hike could be up to 47% for Illinois small businesses
Progressive income tax hike could be up to 47% for Illinois small businesses
Small businesses face a potential income tax hike nearly 5 times larger than corporations under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” amendment.
Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments
Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments
Illinoisans who have struggled without paychecks because of the COVID-19 shutdown could get a delay on their property taxes. The hope is they are working again before they must pay the bill.
Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ relief amounts to $6 for low-income Illinoisans
Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ relief amounts to $6 for low-income Illinoisans
An Illinoisan making $12,400 a year would still pay nearly $1,800 in state and local taxes under the governor’s plan – a higher share of their income than residents of all but two states.
Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms
Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms
Only Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment will appear on the ballot in November. Voters were denied a chance to make critical reforms to state government.
Illinois politicians have been banking on a bailout for years. Don’t give it to them.
Illinois politicians have been banking on a bailout for years. Don’t give it to them.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Mike Madigan and other Illinois leaders were banking on a federal bailout long before COVID-19. How else can one explain their recklessness?