Illinois must rein in spending
Illinois must rein in spending
Increases funded by federal COVID aid have been made permanent, causing a fiscal problem.
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion
By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.
Illinois missing out on big savings
Illinois missing out on big savings
Adopting a state spending cap could help combat a mounting fiscal crisis.
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
A Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
Publicly funded stadium agreements can involve questionable incentives for politicians. The megaprojects bill in Illinois would drive up neighbors’ property taxes.
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Almost half of those in a new poll named taxes one of the city top-two issues. Concern about the economy is on the rise.
March Madness: Lower-tax states offer savings for NIL athletes
March Madness: Lower-tax states offer savings for NIL athletes
Ahead of March Madness, some of the highest-earning college basketball players will pay less in state income tax than they would in Illinois.
Pritzker’s record budget proposal likely to grow before it’s enacted
Pritzker’s record budget proposal likely to grow before it’s enacted
Almost all of Illinois’ final budgets under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have been larger than first proposed.
Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Legislators should use fiscal notes to show taxpayers the economic impact of their proposals.
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Illinois is one of the least affordable states in the nation. Blame high taxes, public pensions and structural debt.
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants $589 million in business-focused tax hikes. That would endanger Illinois’ long-term economic stability.
Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing
Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing
The money would be spread across several programs meant to create more units.
Illinois lawmakers considering statewide bag tax
Illinois lawmakers considering statewide bag tax
Illinoisans would pay a new bag tax under a proposed bill in Springfield. The tax would only deepen concerns that the state keeps increasing the cost burden.
Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected
Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected
Illinois voters rejected a graduated income tax in 2020. State politicians are trying again.
Illinois top 10 for highest in-state tuition, new bill to find out why
Illinois top 10 for highest in-state tuition, new bill to find out why
A new bill in Springfield would provide a roadmap to make higher education more affordable and competitive.