Megan Zentner
Megan Zentner
“If you try to go outside of your district here in the state of Illinois, you will pay tens of thousands of dollars per school year per student.”
Fix or sell? Illinois’ high property taxes make either tough
Fix or sell? Illinois’ high property taxes make either tough
The nation’s second-highest property taxes could come down if Illinois cut school bureaucracy and reformed public pensions. Until they do, fixing the housing stock is a tough sell.
Chicago had $41,100 in debt per taxpayer before COVID-19, second to New York
Chicago had $41,100 in debt per taxpayer before COVID-19, second to New York
A new report from government finance watchdog Truth in Accounting gave the Windy City an “F” for financial health. Chicago’s massive $36 billion net debt stems primarily from pensions.
Illinois’ high corporate tax rate hurts jobs when businesses need COVID-19 help
Illinois’ high corporate tax rate hurts jobs when businesses need COVID-19 help
A new ranking puts Illinois’ corporate tax rates near the top. Still, Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to extract $900 million more from corporations after failing to stop up to $1 billion in COVID-19 tax credits for small businesses.
Robert Hill
Robert Hill
“Raising taxes won’t solve the problem, because people who can afford to move will simply move out of state. Cutting services to pay the pensions will also drive people to relocate.
2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19
2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19
Illinois’ weak economic foundations and fiscal mismanagement were preexisting conditions that caused it to suffer a deeper COVID-19 downturn. They will also hurt its recovery.
Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses
Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses
Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.
Illinois’ mountain of debt will be Madigan’s fiscal legacy
Illinois’ mountain of debt will be Madigan’s fiscal legacy
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.
Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s
Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s
Excise taxes have failed to improve Illinoisans’ health while creating an undue burden for those with the least. But lawmakers have yet to kick the habit.
Holiday scratch-offs win bupkis for Illinois students
Holiday scratch-offs win bupkis for Illinois students
Anyone betting those lottery tickets they gifted will help education would lose.
Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house
Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house
Illinois homeowners pay double the national average on their property tax bills.
Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes
Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes
Sales taxes can exceed 10% in Illinois depending on where consumers do their holiday shopping. The average has been creeping up in recent years.
Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months
Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months
Chicago leaders are using another gas tax hike to help fill a budget hole driven by pensions. Total gas taxes and fees are closing in on $1 per gallon.
Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget
Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to raise revenue to close large revenue gaps partially brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.