Illinois tollway chair resigns following patronage scandal

By Vincent Caruso

01/30/2019

Robert Schillerstrom submitted his resignation after chairing the Illinois tollway for four years. An investigation revealed the outgoing chairman doled out hundreds of millions of dollars in patronage contracts.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois Tollway, patronage, Robert Schillerstrom, taxes, tollway

If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines

By Brad Weisenstein

01/14/2019

Illinois already taxes 20 cents more per gallon of gasoline than Missouri. If state lawmakers add another 30 cents per gallon, expect an exodus of southwestern Illinois drivers buying gas and more in St. Louis.

TAGS: gas tax, property taxes, St. Clair County

Proposal would make Illinois gas tax burden the highest in the nation

By Vincent Caruso

01/04/2019

Springfield is facing mounting pressure to enact a massive state gas tax hike. One proposal would make the average motorist pay as much as $200 per year in additional taxes on gas.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

The Windy City blows away your holiday travel dollars

By Brad Weisenstein

12/19/2018

Illinois stands above its peers when it comes to taxing residents. But Chicago makes it really something to behold when visitors see that famous skyline with all its tall taxes.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, gas tax, parking violations, sales tax, taxes, transportation

Rahm to Springfield: State gas tax needs to at least double

By Vincent Caruso

12/11/2018

Departing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel accelerated calls to boost Illinois’ gas tax to pay for local transportation projects.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, transportation, VMT: vehicle miles traveled

Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike

By Vincent Caruso

11/30/2018

Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is looking to make inroads on an increase in Illinois’ gas tax.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, transportation

Gas tax hike may be around the corner for Gov.-elect JB Pritzker

By Austin Berg

11/08/2018

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly gunning for a transportation bill that could come with an increase in the gas tax.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker, sales tax, VMT: vehicle miles traveled

As Macon County shrinks, property tax rates grow

By Joe Kaiser

05/01/2018

With countywide population dipping, remaining taxpayers in Macon County are being left with an ever-increasing property tax bill.

TAGS: decatur, gas tax, Macon County, outmigration, population, property taxes, taxes, workers compensation

Shrinking Decatur to face budgetary hurdles in coming year

By Joe Kaiser

02/17/2018

After passing an unbalanced budget in 2017, Decatur will have to address its declining population and revenue as it looks ahead to crafting future budgets.

TAGS: decatur, gas tax, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, property taxes

Illinois’ next tax hike could mean pain at the pump

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

09/29/2017

A proposed increase in gas taxes to pay for state infrastructure spending would impose another burden on overtaxed Illinoisans.

TAGS: gas tax, taxes

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

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Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

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Tracy Ross

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students