Vicki Granacki
Vicki Granacki
“I have good relationships with my tenants, so I do everything I can to help them. My husband and I hoped to pass the building on to our son, yet these taxes put business and property owners in a tough spot.”
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago might spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.
Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
Illinois’ financial condition worsens despite receiving billions in federal aid
A new report from watchdog Truth in Accounting shows each taxpayer’s share of state debt has nearly doubled since 2009 to $57,000 as total debt increased by $10 billion—mostly due to pension obligations.
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Will the Chicago Bears stay in the city? Lightfoot hopes so, but says taxpayer dollars won’t be part of the deal
Soldier Field is the NFL’s oldest stadium and home to the bears since 1971. Though their city contract runs through 2033, many expect the team will move to the suburbs after the purchase of Arlington Park in the northwest suburbs.
Madison County ending taxpayer support of history museum
Madison County ending taxpayer support of history museum
During the past decade, one of the few taxpayer-supported local history museums in Illinois collected over $2 million. That is ending, but not before another $300,000 in taxes is handed to the museum.
$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground
$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground
An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $119.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating. Even with pandemic money, 2020 was even worse.
Juan Giron
Juan Giron
“A $60,000 increase isn’t gradual. I thought, ‘This has to be a mistake. Someone must have spilled their coffee, added a zero, or something.’”
Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt
Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt
Chicago homeowners are likely to see average property tax bills rise between $72 and $180 based on the city’s new budget. Higher taxes are driven by $47 billion in pension debt, but pension reform can change that.
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois misses deadline to repay $4.2 billion federal unemployment insurance loan
Illinois missed the September deadline to repay a $4.2 billion federal unemployment loan. Employers warn inaction by state lawmakers could ‘cripple’ businesses and the COVID-19 economic recovery.
The problem with property taxes in the Chicago suburbs
The problem with property taxes in the Chicago suburbs
Property taxes keep going up, but services aren’t improving. Paying more and getting less is a trend that residents want to see reversed.
Chicago ranks No. 2 in the nation for combined state and local sales tax
Chicago ranks No. 2 in the nation for combined state and local sales tax
The Windy City tied with four other major cities as imposing the nation’s second highest sales tax on residents among 124 considered. The report warns the city’s new status could be costing Chicago businesses their competitive edge.
Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund
Comptroller Mendoza’s plan aims to rebuild Illinois’ rainy-day fund
Automatic transfers into Illinois’ rainy-day reserves could help when another fiscal crisis similar to COVID-19 happens.
Pritzker’s record: 24 tax, fee hikes taking $5.24 billion more from Illinoisans
Pritzker’s record: 24 tax, fee hikes taking $5.24 billion more from Illinoisans
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has added more than $5.24 billion in new or higher taxes and fees since taking office. Despite all that new revenue, the nation’s highest taxed state remains a fiscal mess unable to balance a budget for 21 years.
Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois
Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois
State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.