3 things to know about Pat Quinn’s ‘millionaire tax’
3 things to know about Pat Quinn’s ‘millionaire tax’
Former Gov. Pat Quinn claims a millionaire tax would offer Illinoisans property tax relief, but it won’t work without pension reform.
Waste watch: Illinois grants $4M to private theaters
Waste watch: Illinois grants $4M to private theaters
Illinois lawmakers gave money to venues for plays, concerts and weddings – without explaining why private concerns deserved public money.
Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay
Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay
Taxpayers usually get told what raise they will receive. They also get told what raises they will give: to state lawmakers, and by those same lawmakers.
7 things to know about Chicago Bears stadium debate
7 things to know about Chicago Bears stadium debate
Who owns Soldier Field? Why do taxpayers still owe millions? What would a move mean for Chicago’s budget? Answers about a potential Bears move.
Waste watch: Illinois lawmakers hand $740K to ‘Floating Museum’
Waste watch: Illinois lawmakers hand $740K to ‘Floating Museum’
Illinois’ broken budget process allocated taxpayer dollars to an art group best known for its floating exhibit on the Chicago River.
Illinois lawmakers to tackle Chicago Bears stadium, pensions, taxes
Illinois lawmakers to tackle Chicago Bears stadium, pensions, taxes
Expect a progressive tax, higher education spending and a Bears stadium to be high on the agenda for Illinois state lawmakers.
Illinois county updates property tax sale rules after court warnings
Illinois county updates property tax sale rules after court warnings
Rock Island County required tax buyers at its Dec. 30 sale to attest they would protect homeowners’ equity as judges warn Illinois counties may be liable.
Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR
Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR
Illinois’ opaque budget process handed $12 million to NASCAR. Fast and furious is no way to treat taxpayers’ money.
Illinois local governments lose out on $10.9B in state taxes
Illinois local governments lose out on $10.9B in state taxes
Illinois local governments have been denied more than $10.9 billion in state income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012 because state lawmakers cut their share.
Waste watch: Illinois spends $1M to rethink capitalism
Waste watch: Illinois spends $1M to rethink capitalism
Illinois progressives want to reimagine capitalism and hand out free money with the tax dollars you worked for.
Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs
Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs
Illinois’ hidden budgeting process let lawmakers hand out 2,815 grants, including $7 million to move the University of Illinois’ pigs.
Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S.
Illinois counts on bad habits to raise $3.47B in sin taxes
Illinois counts on bad habits to raise $3.47B in sin taxes
Whether your vice is drinking, tobacco, cannabis or gambling, Illinois is enjoying $3.47 billion from taxing it.
Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago
Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago
Chicagoans pay extra to stream holiday movies on Netflix or Hulu because of the city’s 10.25% streaming tax. The cost was nearly $300 million in 2025.