George and Jane Mann
George and Jane Mann
“We were both born and raised here in Illinois. We just celebrated 60 years of marriage. All of our children and grandchildren live in Johnsburg. That’s the only thing keeping us here. For people on Social Security and fixed incomes the property tax issue is really hurting us. It’s just too bad. I used to...
Poll shows high taxes encouraging Illinoisans to leave the state
Poll shows high taxes encouraging Illinoisans to leave the state
Nearly half of respondents said they would like to leave the state, including almost two-thirds of millennials.
Tax protests come to Chicago
Tax protests come to Chicago
Illinois Tax Revolution takes to the city streets over rising property taxes.
By Brendan Bakala
Rahm pushes for tax on plastic bags
Rahm pushes for tax on plastic bags
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to add another layer to the city’s plastic bag ban – a 7-cent tax – despite the ban’s unintended, harmful consequences.
“Lockbox” amendment will decide how transportation funds can be spent
“Lockbox” amendment will decide how transportation funds can be spent
Voters will have the opportunity in November to decide, by way of a constitutional amendment, whether lawmakers should be able to divert transportation funds toward other priorities.
By Heather Weiner
S&P downgrades Illinois credit rating closer to junk
S&P downgrades Illinois credit rating closer to junk
The ratings agency also warns that another downgrade could be coming if the state doesn’t enact serious reforms to improve its fiscal condition.
By John Klingner
Pardess Mitchell
Pardess Mitchell
“I was born and raised in Illinois. We’ve been living here in Lake County for 16 years, my husband and I. But our property taxes have gone up $5,000 over the past four years. The property taxes are now more than our mortgage – we’re paying more than $15,000 a year on a home we...
Cook County board president proposes tax on sugary drinks
Cook County board president proposes tax on sugary drinks
Implementing a taxpayer bill of rights could prevent Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle from increasing the county’s already-high tax burden.
Illinois counties, cities should have the right to dissolve townships
Illinois counties, cities should have the right to dissolve townships
Some steps have been taken to dissolve unnecessary units of governments, but taxpayers need an easier path to eliminate wasteful governmental bodies.
Chicago State University president resigns with $600,000 in severance pay
Chicago State University president resigns with $600,000 in severance pay
The outgoing CSU president’s exorbitant severance package highlights the need to rein in Illinois universities’ high administrative costs.
Illinois needs a property-tax cap
Illinois needs a property-tax cap
Limiting how much units of government can raise taxes could provide much-needed relief for overtaxed Illinoisans.
Chicagoans drowned in new tax proposal
Chicagoans drowned in new tax proposal
Proposed water and sewer tax hikes hit struggling city residents the hardest.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion
Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion
Illinois’ unpaid bills could reach new highs by summer 2017.
By Brendan Bakala
CPS’ 2017 budget: More taxes, more borrowing, no accountability
CPS’ 2017 budget: More taxes, more borrowing, no accountability
Chicago Public Schools officials had an opportunity to enact serious reforms addressing the district’s dire financial condition, but they instead opted to further burden Chicago taxpayers without offering any change.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner