Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax break provides relief for 10 days
Illinois’ back-to-school sales tax break provides relief for 10 days
The state will slash its sales tax for 10 days this month.
Education Freedom Tax Credit can save donors 354% more than a deduction
Education Freedom Tax Credit can save donors 354% more than a deduction
Under the program, donors can receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700. That’s a direct subtraction from your tax bill, not just a deduction from your taxable income.
Chicago charges a 10.25% tax to stream a Cubs game
Chicago charges a 10.25% tax to stream a Cubs game
The city raised the streaming tax last year and maintains a 9% amusement tax on tickets.
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Johnson’s relocation fee threatens affordable rentals
Johnson’s relocation fee threatens affordable rentals
A proposed ordinance would force landlords to pay tenants thousands to end a lease. The mandate risks higher rents and fewer affordable units.
Almost 40% of lawmakers who passed Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes no longer in office
Almost 40% of lawmakers who passed Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes no longer in office
Of the 131 who voted for the increases in 2019, 51 aren’t in the General Assembly today.
Naperville could scrap grocery tax in favor of higher sales tax
Naperville could scrap grocery tax in favor of higher sales tax
Revenue is falling short of expectations from the grocery tax, which was enacted after Gov. J.B. Pritzker repealed the state grocery tax.
Stacy Davis Gates: The scandal-plagued leadership of a teachers union president
Stacy Davis Gates: The scandal-plagued leadership of a teachers union president
Stacy Davis Gates’ tenure as president of the Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers has been riddled with scandals. Now, fewer than 1-in-3 Chicagoans have a favorable opinion of the union.
Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
The CPS budget proposal relies on hundreds of millions in fund sweeps to “balance.” Despite layoffs, CPS payrolls grew compared with last year and remain 8,250 higher than 2020 levels despite fewer students.
Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party
Thanks to gerrymandering, over 90% of recently passed bills in Illinois were sponsored by one party
Partisan politics is a big player in the Illinois Capitol. The state needs real redistricting reform to increase competition, expand representation and strengthen accountability.
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would let high-schoolers take more career classes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker could expand access to training for high school students in careers such as welding and web development.
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Chicago’s biggest music event brings in millions in revenue for the city, but tickets to the lakefront festival carry the amusement taxes and overnight visitors pay the nation’s highest hotel tax.
Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Chicago area shows highest rent increase among top 10 metros
Year-over-year rents rose in Illinois while falling nationwide. Champaign-Urbana posted the country’s fourth-highest increase.
Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for
Illinois Federation of Teachers educators aren’t getting what they’re paying for
The majority of IFT’s spending is not on representing teachers, according to its own reports. Teachers can opt out of the union during August.