Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda
Illinois Senate proposes statewide tax on soda
Running out of ideas, the Illinois Senate takes aim at poor people to fund record-high state spending.
Illinois edges toward recession, politicians propose multibillion-dollar tax hike
Illinois edges toward recession, politicians propose multibillion-dollar tax hike
Despite declining tax revenues and warning signs of a possible recession, Illinois lawmakers in Springfield are mulling tax hikes.
Naperville and Lisle townships to vote on consolidating road districts
Naperville and Lisle townships to vote on consolidating road districts
Voters in Naperville and Lisle townships will have the chance to vote on government consolidation after the success of a similar referendum in the November elections.
Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing
Illinois Senate budget plan includes $5 billion in tax hikes, $7 billion in borrowing
The new budget plan coming out of the Illinois Senate does little to nothing to reform the state’s reckless spending and financial mismanagement, but does plenty to hurt state taxpayers.
Why a budget won’t fix Illinois
Why a budget won’t fix Illinois
Pension costs alone now consume a quarter of the Illinois state budget.
20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois
20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois
2017 brings a slew of new sales tax hikes for 20 municipalities in Illinois.
2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike
2016: Chicago’s year of the tax hike
To address the city’s worsening financial crises, Chicago politicians turned up the dial on their usual answer to budgetary woes: raising taxes.
Illinois ends 2016 with nearly $11 billion in unpaid bills
Illinois ends 2016 with nearly $11 billion in unpaid bills
Though spending on government-worker salaries and pensions has grown at a rapid rate, many service providers and grant recipients are still awaiting payment.
$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
$39 billion: Where does Illinois’ tax revenue come from?
Income and sales taxes account for nearly two-thirds of state revenue.
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
State’s record-breaking budgets make Illinoisans poorer
For each percentage point drop in the private sector’s share of the state economy, Illinois household incomes fall by over $3,000 on average. Unfortunately for Illinoisans, the private sector’s share of the Illinois economy has dwindled as government’s share – enabled through tax-funded spending – has risen to 25 percent.
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois takes steps toward consolidating its 7,000 units of government
Illinois’ duplicative and overlapping units of government contribute to the state’s high property tax burden, but luckily some small steps have been taken to consolidate them.
4 tax hikes a taxpayer bill of rights could have prevented
4 tax hikes a taxpayer bill of rights could have prevented
In 2016, Chicago and Cook County officials approved new tax and fee hikes that will hit already overburdened residents. A taxpayer bill of rights could prevent politicians from constantly nickel-and-diming residents to make up for budget shortfalls.
How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare
How Illinois can end its Medicaid nightmare
After hundreds of waiting list deaths and an unsustainable enrollment explosion, Illinois policymakers must act swiftly to contain this growing nightmare. Thankfully, they have options.
Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO gets $28,000 raise after fares go up
Metra CEO Don Orseno is set to receive a pay increase a month after Metra’s fare hike.