Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago has thousands of job vacancies that receive city funding, leaving taxpayers to pay for empty positions that spur massive overtime costs.
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois’ state tax competitiveness ranking dropped six spots – from 32nd to 38th in the past six years. That’s the worst in the Midwest.
Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue
Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue
More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.
Illinois lawmakers hike toll roads and sales taxes to fund Chicago-area transit
Illinois lawmakers hike toll roads and sales taxes to fund Chicago-area transit
Illinois lawmakers passed a new plan to keep Chicago-area public transit running. The plan hikes sales taxes in the Chicago area but stops major service cuts for the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace.
Illinois facing lawsuits over property tax theft
Illinois facing lawsuits over property tax theft
Lawsuits are mounting from homeowners, investors and counties. Unless lawmakers act, taxpayers could pay millions in damages over Illinois' unconstitutional tax sale system.
An Illinois wealth tax would be a legal disaster
An Illinois wealth tax would be a legal disaster
Illinois’ latest tax scheme, a 4.95% “wealth tax” on unrealized gains for billionaires, risks violating the state constitution, likely resulting in a long and costly legal battle.
Illinois House Democrats push first-in-the-world wealth tax, streaming, concert taxes
Illinois House Democrats push first-in-the-world wealth tax, streaming, concert taxes
State lawmakers are rushing a first-in-the-world wealth tax on billionaires. They also want taxes on streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify and steep surcharges on concerts and ticketed events.
Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Chicago’s budget has grown much faster than inflation, leaving taxpayers to endure higher costs without receiving better services. Implementing a spending cap linked to inflation could have kept costs under control, helping prevent future deficits
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT, Amazon Web Services and Zoom would all come with higher prices under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cloud tax.
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the 2026 budget as “Protecting Chicago,” but his plan seems to do the opposite. Taxes on Artificial Intelligence, Uber rides and companies with 100+ employees are the biggest revenue sources.
Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”
Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the Chicago Economic Club Oct. 21 that he absolutely opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to revive the corporate “head tax” as part of his new budget proposal.
Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties
Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties
Illinois risks millions in penalties under new federal law because of errors in determining who qualifies for food assistance. To protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision.