Springfield’s ‘bad Santas’ can’t kick sin tax habit
Springfield’s ‘bad Santas’ can’t kick sin tax habit
Bad habits are tough to break, and Illinois lawmakers can’t ditch their habit of depending on sin taxes to raise revenue.
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Illinois ranks least tax-friendly state for middle-class families, 2nd-worst for retirees
Tax friendliness reports ranked Illinois as the most expensive for middle-class families and second most expensive for retirees. Analysts cited high property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes as cinching the bottom spots.
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
Bipartisan plan to pay off $1B deficit spares Illinois businesses from tax hike
More taxes on businesses and reductions in unemployment benefits were looming as a recession approached, but no longer. Lawmakers agreed to replenish Illinois’ unemployment insurance trust fund and avoid those pitfalls.
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
State lawmakers debate delaying New Year’s Day gas tax hike
A bill in Springfield proposes delaying the Jan. 1 state gas tax hike. If it fails, drivers will see two gas tax hikes in 2023, expected to take the tax to over 45 cents a gallon.
Arlington Heights takes first step toward taxpayer-backed Chicago Bears stadium
Arlington Heights takes first step toward taxpayer-backed Chicago Bears stadium
Arlington Heights trustees unanimously approved a pre-development agreement with the Chicago Bears, but the review process could take years before they break ground on the new football stadium.
Experts: Illinois taxpayers carrying 3rd-highest debt burden in nation
Experts: Illinois taxpayers carrying 3rd-highest debt burden in nation
Truth in Accounting experts contested Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s claims Illinois is on the best fiscal footing in years, citing chronic underfunding of the state’s nation-leading pension debt. The watchdogs ranked Illinois’ finances third worst among U.S. states.
Property taxes rise nearly $4B under Pritzker
Property taxes rise nearly $4B under Pritzker
Illinoisans will have paid an extra $3.94 billion in property taxes during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term. Four years ago he campaigned on a promise of property tax relief.
Amendment 1 could lock in $4B statewide property tax hike
Amendment 1 could lock in $4B statewide property tax hike
Total property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $40 billion by 2026, $4 billion more than at present. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that increase.
Amendment 1 could lock in $2B residential property tax hike
Amendment 1 could lock in $2B residential property tax hike
Statewide residential property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $24 billion by 2026, which is $2 billion more than the current total. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $2 billion increase.
Small business owner fears Amendment 1 tax hikes
Small business owner fears Amendment 1 tax hikes
Linda Ekendahl hoped buying property for her business would be the best move – until her $30,000 property tax bill came. Another tax hike under Amendment 1 would further damage her business.
Here’s a trick to save taxes on soaring Halloween candy prices
Here’s a trick to save taxes on soaring Halloween candy prices
Halloween shoppers can expect to spend 13% more on treats this October than last season, marking the largest-ever single-year jump in candy prices. Illinois’ tax system this year lets treaters save some dough by picking candy with flour.
Congressmen ask Pritzker to repay $1.3B federal unemployment debt
Congressmen ask Pritzker to repay $1.3B federal unemployment debt
U.S. House Ways and Means Committee members wrote Gov. J.B. Pritzker asking for repayment of a $1.3 billion federal unemployment insurance fund loan before Nov. 10. Failing to do so means automatically raising taxes on businesses.
Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?
Report card: How’s Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker done in 4 years?
A review of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term in Illinois’ highest office examines his track record beyond the campaign rhetoric. The second and final gubernatorial debate with opponent Darren Bailey is Oct. 18.
Illinoisans get just 20% of promised tax rebates after nearly a month
Illinoisans get just 20% of promised tax rebates after nearly a month
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year budget includes one-time property tax rebate checks so far averaging $200 per homeowner. Only a fraction of the rebate checks have been mailed.