Why the soda tax ‘worked’ and the progressive tax won’t
Why the soda tax ‘worked’ and the progressive tax won’t
There’s no doubt: the county taxed soda more, so people bought less of it. It’s a simple lesson. So why doesn’t Springfield get it?
Bill would curb Illinois state budget gimmicks allowing deficits since 2001
Bill would curb Illinois state budget gimmicks allowing deficits since 2001
Illinois has not truly balanced its budget since 2001 despite a constitutional requirement to do so. A new bill would help change that.
Local government spending could soon be easier for Illinois taxpayers to track
Local government spending could soon be easier for Illinois taxpayers to track
A bill to make more public records readily available would better show taxpayers how local governments spend money.
Mosquito abatement districts targeted by Illinois lawmakers
Mosquito abatement districts targeted by Illinois lawmakers
Consolidating Illinois’ nearly 7,000 units of local government could help provide local property tax relief. One bill aims to consolidate mosquito abatement districts.
Illinois Forward: A 5-year plan for balanced budgets, declining debt and tax relief
Illinois Forward: A 5-year plan for balanced budgets, declining debt and tax relief
The years 2010 through 2019 will go down in Illinois history as a decade of public policy failure and economic decline. High fixed costs for pensions and government worker health care have prevented the state from balancing its budget in any year since 2001. Since the Great Recession in 2008, the state’s fiscal imbalance has...
Illinoisans most likely to move out would see higher taxes under Pritzker plan
Illinoisans most likely to move out would see higher taxes under Pritzker plan
Other states show how a progressive income tax would likely make the Illinois exodus worse, pushing jobs and tax revenue out of Illinois.
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ would hit over 4 million Illinoisans with marriage penalty, potentially give wealthy couples a marriage bonus
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ would hit over 4 million Illinoisans with marriage penalty, potentially give wealthy couples a marriage bonus
A progressive income tax would force nearly all joint filers in Illinois to pay higher income taxes than they would as single filers. Meanwhile, some wealthy couples would save thousands in state income taxes.
Slowest-growing states have progressive income taxes
Slowest-growing states have progressive income taxes
Fewer people want to live in states with progressive income taxes. So after 6 straight years of population loss, why would Illinois want to join them?
Work one day, get paid for whole month could end for Illinois lawmakers
Work one day, get paid for whole month could end for Illinois lawmakers
Illinois lawmakers are currently paid for the entire month, even if they resign before the end of it. A new bill could change that.
State of Illinois previously owned helicopter in crash that killed Kobe Bryant
State of Illinois previously owned helicopter in crash that killed Kobe Bryant
The state sold the helicopter in 2015 to ease budgetary pressures.
Illinois Tollway overcharged drivers $152K last year by not giving change
Illinois Tollway overcharged drivers $152K last year by not giving change
The Illinois Tollway is spending $33 million on toll machines, some of which can’t make change. The state agency’s legacy is broken promises, political patronage and overcharging Illinoisans.
Chicago alderman proposes tax on childbirth
Chicago alderman proposes tax on childbirth
Amid Illinois’ population decline, Ald. Ray Lopez proposed taxing conception and licensing childbirth.
Illinois cannabis taxes among nation’s highest, could keep black market thriving
Illinois cannabis taxes among nation’s highest, could keep black market thriving
Springfield lawmakers have yet to learn the lesson that money walks. And it’s not just to other states. Sometimes, it walks past the legal dispensary with a 40% tax rate and into a dealer’s house.
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation
New data shows Illinois since 2010 lost up to $32 billion in income from people moving out. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan would hike rates on residents most likely to leave the state, on net.