Decatur passes budget out of balance by $3 million
Decatur passes budget out of balance by $3 million
As its population and tax base erode, the city of Decatur passed a budget for fiscal year 2018 more than $3 million in the red.
Chicago’s distracted business
Chicago’s distracted business
Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it
Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it
A year after announcing the Mars Wrigley Confectionery project, the candy giant will scrap its plans to expand its Chicago presence and instead encamp in Newark, New Jersey.
NIU board to vote on $600,000 severance package for former president
NIU board to vote on $600,000 severance package for former president
The Board of Trustees at Northern Illinois University granted a $600,000 severance package to outgoing university President Doug Baker, who resigned following a state investigation into his management of the university. But after a court struck down that agreement, the board is set to vote again.
Danville passes property tax and fee hikes to pay for pensions
Danville passes property tax and fee hikes to pay for pensions
Owners of Danville property will pay fees of up to $1,020 a year just for local pensions, on top of rising property tax bills.
How one Illinois law jacks up the cost of government while harming construction sector employment
How one Illinois law jacks up the cost of government while harming construction sector employment
Illinois state lawmakers could stimulate employment and lower costs for overburdened taxpayers by repealing the state’s outdated prevailing wage law.
Student loan troubles? Illinois officials can suspend your professional license
Student loan troubles? Illinois officials can suspend your professional license
Almost a quarter of Illinois workers need licenses to work in their professions, and workers who default on student loans can face the suspension of those licenses.
Palatine passes property tax hike to pay for pensions
Palatine passes property tax hike to pay for pensions
Palatine homeowners will see higher property tax bills in order to pay for higher local pension costs, as well as a dip in state funding.
Normal Town Council approves increase in property tax levy
Normal Town Council approves increase in property tax levy
The Town Council voted unanimously for a tax levy increase, which is expected to result in higher property taxes in 2018.
How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs
How licensing puts the hurt on lower-income Illinoisans, entrepreneurs
In Illinois, a cosmetologist must complete 350 days of educational training, but an EMT can be licensed after just 37.
Canadian manufacturer to get $1.1M state tax break deal, local property tax breaks
Canadian manufacturer to get $1.1M state tax break deal, local property tax breaks
The Brandt Group of Companies inked a deal through Illinois’ state tax credit program and will receive property tax abatements from multiple local governments.
Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition
Repeal Day: Illinois’ sobering alcohol taxes, regulations a reminder of Prohibition
With the ratification of the 21st Amendment, 1933 marked the end of Prohibition in the United States. But that hasn’t stopped the Land of Lincoln from serving a cocktail of prohibitive regulations on alcoholic beverages.
Tony Sambo
Tony Sambo
“I can’t get out. I keep paying the property taxes and the workman’s compensation. They’re out of control. I’m stuck. I can’t get out. “I have commercial real estate people calling me all the time and they’re like, ‘We’ve got this building in Illinois.’ And I say, ‘No, I’m trying to get to Indiana.’ And...
IRS data: Illinois lost people and income to every neighboring state on net
IRS data: Illinois lost people and income to every neighboring state on net
New data from the IRS show Illinois lost $720 million and 21,800 people on net to neighboring states from 2015-2016.