When Illinois politicians call taxes ‘temporary’ or ‘fair,’ they won’t be
When Illinois politicians call taxes ‘temporary’ or ‘fair,’ they won’t be
Illinois lawmakers make many promises about tax increases. Then they break those promises.
Transportation spending shows ‘fair tax’ ripe for waste
Transportation spending shows ‘fair tax’ ripe for waste
Politicians pledged to rebuild decaying roads and bridges if taxpayers paid just a little bit more, but too often the funds were misused and the promises meant little.
Audit: Chicago saves $1 million after Ald. Burke quits finance committee
Audit: Chicago saves $1 million after Ald. Burke quits finance committee
Chicago’s longest-serving alderman used his power as chair of the City Council Finance Committee to pad staffs, give himself a security detail.
Taxpayer tab totals $111.3M to keep Southwestern Illinois airport open
Taxpayer tab totals $111.3M to keep Southwestern Illinois airport open
Each year St. Clair County taxpayers must add money to keep MidAmerica St. Louis Airport open. COVID-19 could turn a hefty financial burden into an albatross.
Reality check on 5 false claims used to boost Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
Reality check on 5 false claims used to boost Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
Voters can expect to be bombarded by claims about the ‘fair tax’ until Nov. 3 – but what are the facts? Proponents have made misleading claims in hopes of convincing Illinoisans to do away with the flat tax.
Progressive income tax study guide
Progressive income tax study guide
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls it the “fair tax.” Opponents say it’s a “blank check” for irresponsible spending. Here’s what you need to know.
What Illinoisans need to know about the progressive income tax
What Illinoisans need to know about the progressive income tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls his $3.7 billion income tax hike a “fair tax.” But opponents have criticized the constitutional amendment as a blank check for House Speaker Mike Madigan and other state lawmakers, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.
Madigan’s fiscal legacy: How the longest-serving state House speaker built Illinois’ mountain of debt
Madigan’s fiscal legacy: How the longest-serving state House speaker built Illinois’ mountain of debt
Decades of institutionalized financial mismanagement left Illinois with the nation’s worst fiscal health. Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has been at the center of nearly every bad decision along the way.
Why Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ fails 3 of 4 basic tests
Why Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ fails 3 of 4 basic tests
The progressive tax’s structure fails to account for inflation and includes a marriage penalty for 4 million Illinoisans. It is designed to creep farther into taxpayers’ wallets.
Pritzker hands federal relief to 2,600 small businesses while pushing for tax increase on 100,000
Pritzker hands federal relief to 2,600 small businesses while pushing for tax increase on 100,000
Despite the hardships small businesses face from COVID-19 restrictions, Pritzker continues to push for a tax increase on them.
Black business leader speaks out about ‘fair tax’ harms, gets axed from Pritzker event
Black business leader speaks out about ‘fair tax’ harms, gets axed from Pritzker event
Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment would hurt small, minority-owned businesses the most.
Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates
Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates
Illinois doubled the gas tax in 2019, which pushed it to No. 3 in the nation for highest average gas tax.
Indiana drops corporate tax rate as Illinois considers increasing it
Indiana drops corporate tax rate as Illinois considers increasing it
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ would raise Illinois business taxes to the highest in the nation as neighboring Indiana cuts taxes to draw businesses across the border.
Laura Valdez
Laura Valdez
"With the high overall cost of living, I have a lot more going out than coming in. This is why I must keep working at age 68."