Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government
Illinoisans work 119 days to pay for government
Illinoisans must work from Jan. 1 until April 29 to pay the taxes they owe to federal, state and local governments.
Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student
Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool has claimed that Chicago students are discriminated against under the state's education funding formula. But the numbers show the opposite: Chicago has received more than its fair share of education funding from the state.
New bill would make Illinois gas taxes highest in the nation
New bill would make Illinois gas taxes highest in the nation
A new 30-cent-per-gallon tax hike would make Illinois gas taxes the highest in the nation by far, and pour more money into a broken system.
Illinois gets $2.7M windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Illinois gets $2.7M windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Budget gridlock in Springfield caused the Illinois secretary of state’s office to suspend mailing vehicle-registration-renewal reminders in October 2015; as a result, during the first three months of 2016, the state took in $2.7 million more in fees for late license-plate renewal than it did during the same period in 2015.
Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund
Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund
Creating a tax increment financing district around the Lathrop Homes redevelopment will ensure that 100 percent of property-tax revenue generated on the site will go to a city-run slush fund.
Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners
Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners
Since 1990, the average property-tax bill in Illinois has grown more than three times faster than the state's median household income.
Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling
Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling
In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.
6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up
6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up
Even with the city’s record tax hike and massive borrowing, lack of reform means Chicagoans can expect to open up their wallets yet again.
Illinois’ gubernatorial veto procedures
Illinois’ gubernatorial veto procedures
The governor can exercise the veto power in four different ways: a total veto, an amendatory veto, an item veto and a reduction veto.
Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%
Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%
The combined federal, state, county and city taxes on alcohol result in a 28 percent effective tax rate on a bottle of spirits bought in Chicago.
Rauner’s proposed bill would give the governor the ability to balance the state’s budget
Rauner’s proposed bill would give the governor the ability to balance the state’s budget
In light of the Illinois General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Unbalanced Budget Response Act is a prudent measure that would temporarily allow the governor to shift funds and reduce spending to balance the state’s budget.
Illinois gas prices show 2nd-highest increase in nation
Illinois gas prices show 2nd-highest increase in nation
While Illinois motorists have seen the country’s second-highest increase in gas prices, Chicagoans pay even higher prices at the pump due to multiple layers of city, county and state taxation.
State not paying out on auto accident claims
State not paying out on auto accident claims
Illinois’ budget gridlock has prevented the state from making payments on some 200 auto liability claims worth $560,000.
Chicago State University students: Blame CSU administration for your troubles
Chicago State University students: Blame CSU administration for your troubles
CSU's bloated administration costs more than $3,600 per student, by far the highest of all Illinois' public colleges and universities. By comparison, the average MAP grant at CSU is $2,600 per student.