Why the 2017 tax hikes will harm Illinois’ economy
Why the 2017 tax hikes will harm Illinois’ economy
The 2011 tax hikes cost the state economy $55.8 billion in real GDP from 2012-2016.
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
With statewide elections in November, the 2018 forecast calls for gridlock.
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Robert Martwick are all involved in the clout-heavy cottage industry of property tax appeals.
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
The village of Lakewood is making encouraging reforms in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
Illinois overrun with local governments, but consolidation still proving difficult
Illinois overrun with local governments, but consolidation still proving difficult
One community in northern Illinois’ McHenry County is a case study on the glacial pace of consolidation in a state with the most units of local government – and some of the highest property taxes – in the nation.
Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles
Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles
City Council gave private ‘booting’ companies the blessing to charge Chicagoans more to remove the device from vehicles.
For your own good: Illinois the seventh-most ‘paternalistic’ state in the country, study finds
For your own good: Illinois the seventh-most ‘paternalistic’ state in the country, study finds
The Land of Lincoln is also the land of “sin” taxes, “saint” subsidies and other nanny-like policies, according to a new study.
Some Illinois village managers outearn every state governor
Some Illinois village managers outearn every state governor
The Mount Prospect village manager is set to receive a $214,000 salary in 2018, joining a long list of other Illinois municipal officials collecting similar and even larger paychecks.
Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families
Rising property tax burdens squeeze Illinois families
While effective property tax rates might be on the decline in some communities, census data show Illinois families are seeing a larger share of their household budgets eaten up by property tax bills.
Forget your I-PASS? Prepare to see tolls double
Forget your I-PASS? Prepare to see tolls double
The Illinois Tollway is cracking down on I-PASS users who don’t have their transponders in their vehicles.
Illinois General Assembly, 2017 in review: State pet, state grain, but no fixes
Illinois General Assembly, 2017 in review: State pet, state grain, but no fixes
Illinois lawmakers passed hundreds of bills in 2017, but enacted no real reforms to boost the state’s economy, rein in the cost of government or provide relief to taxpayers.
Chicago’s dizzying alcohol taxes
Chicago’s dizzying alcohol taxes
The combined burden of municipal and state taxes on alcoholic beverages might make Chicagoans think they’re seeing double.