High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

09/26/2022

Decades-high inflation means local governments can easily raise Illinoisans’ property taxes by 5% during the next year. That makes it an especially bad time to compound the property tax hike with Amendment 1.

TAGS: inflation, property taxes

Pritzker’s ‘Family Relief Plan’ offers Illinoisans $35 while inflation takes $90

By Perry Zhao

08/09/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker boasted about financial responsibility and sympathy towards working families, but the average family of three can expect to save only $35.52 per month as inflation eats away $90 from that family’s budget.

TAGS: Illinois Family Relief Plan, inflation, JB Pritzker

High gas prices mean Illinois’ sales tax adds $200 a year

07/30/2022

Surging gasoline prices mean Illinois is getting a boost in sales taxes from fuel, but that’s because drivers are paying the extra $200 a year. Most states don’t charge sales tax on gasoline, but Illinois adds it atop other taxes – taxing the taxes.

TAGS: gas prices, Illinois, inflation, sales tax

Rising prices cost Illinoisans $522 more for groceries this year

By Bryce Hill

07/29/2022

Inflation sends grocery prices rising at the fastest rate since April 1979, costing the average Illinoisan $522 more at checkout.

TAGS: grocery tax, Illinois, inflation

Illinois slices into family deli’s bottom line

07/25/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker added $650 million in taxes and fee hikes for small businesses in his last budget. Voters will decide Nov. 8 if Illinois’ business climate will get tougher, yet, through Amendment 1.

TAGS: Illinois, inflation, small business, tax burden

Highest inflation in 40 years deals Illinoisans $2,900 pay cut

By Bryce Hill

07/21/2022

Wages have failed to keep up with inflation, dropping Illinoisans’ purchasing power by $2,900 on average.

TAGS: Amendment 1, gas prices, inflation, interest rates, property taxes

Pritzker’s gas tax hike takes $277 from average Illinoisan

By Perry Zhao

07/20/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted a six-month delay in the next automatic gas tax hike as “tax relief.” But since he assumed office, the gas tax he raised has taken an extra $277 from every person in Illinois.

TAGS: gas tax, inflation, JB Pritzker

Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023

By Dylan Sharkey

07/19/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to tie property taxes to inflation in 2020 is coming back to bite taxpayers.

TAGS: Chicago, inflation, Lori Lightfoot, property 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 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

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Cathy Stuehmeier

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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