Poll: High taxes No. 1 reason Illinoisans consider leaving state
Poll: High taxes No. 1 reason Illinoisans consider leaving state
Over half of survey respondents have considered leaving Illinois, citing dysfunctional government, disappointing job opportunities and – above all – high taxes.
Hoffman Estates has sunk $87.6M into unprofitable Sears Centre
Hoffman Estates has sunk $87.6M into unprofitable Sears Centre
The village of Hoffman Estates took over Sears Centre Arena in 2009, but the multi-purpose stadium has yet to turn an annual profit on its own.
By Eddie Damstra
St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike
St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike
The county board approved a $3.5 million property tax levy increase for 2019.
By Vincent Caruso
States with a progressive income tax more vulnerable to fiscal shocks
States with a progressive income tax more vulnerable to fiscal shocks
Despite finding favor among some politicians and political candidates in Illinois, states with a progressive income tax are more vulnerable during recessions than flat-tax states.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois residents will pay additional online sales tax starting Oct. 1
Illinois residents will pay additional online sales tax starting Oct. 1
As a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc., most online purchases in Illinois will now be subject to automatic collection of the state’s 6.25 percent use tax.
By Adam Schuster
Rahm to push e-cigarette ‘sin tax’ hike, product restrictions
Rahm to push e-cigarette ‘sin tax’ hike, product restrictions
The proposed City Council ordinance would hike Chicago’s sales tax on liquid nicotine and mandate that stores keep vaping products below the counter.
By Janelle Cammenga
When taxes hit home(s)
When taxes hit home(s)
Making Illinois a more attractive state in which to plant roots is entirely within lawmakers’ control.
By Austin Berg
Report: TIFs fall short of economic development promises
Report: TIFs fall short of economic development promises
A new report analyzes the effects of “tax increment financing” on communities across the nation – and calls into question the merits of the widely used development tool.
Adan and Cynthia Villafranca
Adan and Cynthia Villafranca
“My parents came [to the United States] in 1969. I grew up in the Chicago area. “When Cynthia and I got engaged, we started home searching. We wanted a place ready to go. “I knew nothing about [the cost of] homeownership until I started to home search. I was looking in Oak Lawn, Oak Forest,...
State lawmaker falsely claims progressive tax ‘not mine to vote for’
State lawmaker falsely claims progressive tax ‘not mine to vote for’
At least one lawmaker is attempting to avoid responsibility for one of the most important policy issues in the state.
By Chris Lentino
Is this the most toxic tax in Illinois politics?
Is this the most toxic tax in Illinois politics?
One wonders how many times an unpopular idea must be knocked down before it rises back from the dead. Especially when it means more money for the state. And especially in Illinois.
By Austin Berg
What goes up must come down: Why Illinois is ill-prepared for the next recession
What goes up must come down: Why Illinois is ill-prepared for the next recession
Poor public policy and inefficient government mean Illinois will struggle to provide relief for residents in need during the next downturn.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
County referendum would raise Springfield sales tax burden to among nation’s highest
County referendum would raise Springfield sales tax burden to among nation’s highest
A proposed 1 percent sales tax for school facilities improvements would bring the city of Springfield’s combined sales tax rate to 9.75 percent – among the highest in the nation.
By Janelle Cammenga
53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax
53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax
Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.
By Chris Lentino