Policy Research

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Taxpayers funded 84% of public employee pensions in 2020

By Patrick Andriesen

07/02/2022

Taxpayer contributions accounted for 56% of the money that flowed into Illinois’ pension funds in 2000. Two decades later, residents funded 84% of public employees’ retirements, yet pension debt is still growing.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, municipal pensions, pension reform, pensions, Springfield

Supermarkets, gas stations forced to advertise Pritzker tax ‘relief’ July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

07/01/2022

July 1 marks the start of the suspended state grocery tax and delay in the automatic gas tax hike. Both industries are required by law to display signs reminding customers of the suspensions, but only gas stations face $500-a-day fines if they fail to comply.

TAGS: gas prices, gas tax, grocery tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

New minimum wages in effect July 1 for Chicago, Cook County

By Dylan Sharkey

07/01/2022

Minimum wages for Chicago and Cook County are increasing July 1. Inflation has rapidly outpaced wage growth, cutting the average Illinoisan’s pay by $2,200.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, economy, inflation, minimum wage

Illinois drivers pay $35 more to fill up on gas than one year ago

By Patrick Andriesen

06/30/2022

Drivers are now paying $35 more to fill-up on regular gasoline and $65 more for diesel than they were a year ago. Gas taxes eat more than one-fifth of every tank.

TAGS: gas prices, gas tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

Illinois drivers pay 54 cents more per gallon than rest of U.S. ahead of July 4 travel

By Dylan Sharkey

06/29/2022

Independence Day travel will return to pre-pandemic levels this weekend, reminding Illinoisans they pay the most for gas in the Midwest thanks to high taxes.

TAGS: free speech, gas prices, gas station, gas tax, inflation, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois gas stations display Pritzker gas tax hikes to counter election propaganda

By Dylan Sharkey

06/28/2022

Illinois gas station owners lost their legal fight over the requirement to advertise the delay in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s annual gas tax hike. Stations now will post the mandated signs July 1, but are also telling drivers how much state leaders raised the gas taxes.

TAGS: gas station, gas tax, JB Pritzker

Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/28/2022

Voters wanting to share their Election Day pride best not do it with a voting booth selfie posted to social media. That’s a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: ballot, election, Election Day, voting

Oak Lawn may boost businesses by waiving $600,000 in licensing fees

By Dylan Sharkey

06/27/2022

A tough economy and an Illinois Policy Institute report has Oak Lawn considering waiving business license renewal fees for a year. Giving up $600,000 in fees is expected to attract new businesses and help older ones.

TAGS: licensing fees, Oak Lawn, small business

Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

By Hannah Max

06/27/2022

The majority of the support for a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on Illinoisans comes from union coffers, with nearly $5 million donated so far. Unions also funded the failed progressive tax push in 2020.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, tax hikes, taxes, unions

Lightfoot allies delay speed camera vote

By Dylan Sharkey

06/24/2022

The Chicago City Council blocked a vote to repeal the lower speed camera ticket threshold, responsible for $59 million in tickets last year. Mayor Lori Lightfoot now has until July 20 to save a policy that issued more tickets than Chicago has residents.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, red light cameras, speed cameras

Above the law: Amendment 1 would let government unions void over 350 Illinois laws

Amendment 1 would allow government unions to nullify hundreds of Illinois statutes – including laws aimed at protecting school children – simply by contradicting them in union contracts.

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