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Illinois ranked “least tax friendly” state for middle-class families

By Patrick Andriesen
11/23/2021
Kiplinger report finds Illinois’ sales, income and property taxes on middle-income families rank among the highest in the nation, making prospective residents think twice about moving to the state.

TAGS: Illinois, middle class, taxes

Inflation ensures progressive tax hike will hit an increasing number of Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor
10/02/2020
Within 20 years the portion of Illinoisans hit with the progressive tax hike would grow by over 150% if the rate of inflation mirrored the past two decades.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, middle class, progressive income tax

Progressive income tax study guide

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
08/27/2020
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls it the “fair tax.” Opponents say it’s a “blank check” for irresponsible spending. Here’s what you need to know.

TAGS: ballot referendums, California, Connecticut, corporate income tax, fair tax, general election, graduated income tax, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, income tax, JB Pritzker, middle class, outmigration, Springfield

Why Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’ fails 3 of 4 basic tests

By Joe Tabor
08/24/2020
The progressive tax’s structure fails to account for inflation and includes a marriage penalty for 4 million Illinoisans. It is designed to creep farther into taxpayers’ wallets.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, marriage penalty, middle class, progressive tax

Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year

By Brad Weisenstein
11/18/2019
Taxes alone hike the average Illinois cellphone bill by 31%.

TAGS: 911 fee, 911 tax, cell phone tax, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chicago, Connecticut, constitutional amendment, emergency fee, excise tax, exit tax, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot, middle class, municipal pensions, pensions, progressive income tax, Rahm Emanuel, sales tax, taxes, wireless tax

Madigan’s middle-class myth

By Austin Berg
08/04/2016
Less than half of Illinois households are defined as middle class.

TAGS: household income, income tax, middle class, Mike Madigan, taxes

Zoning restrictions are making housing unaffordable and shrinking the middle class in Chicago

By Mark Adams
05/16/2016
Bad zoning laws drive up the cost of home ownership and put a middle-class lifestyle out of reach for too many Chicagoans.

TAGS: middle class, regulations, zoning

Hey, Speaker Madigan: Illinois’ No. 1 budget problem is taxpayers fleeing the state

By Michael Lucci
06/15/2015
If Illinois had simply broken even on domestic migration, there likely wouldn’t be much of a budget problem.

TAGS: jobs, middle class

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Chicago Policy Center / Research Report

A city charter could bring order to Chicago’s dysfunction. How can it get one?


A city charter would put much-needed guardrails on the Chicago government. Here’s what needs to happen to get one.

View Report

Report Archive

Center for Poverty Solutions / Your Story

Melony Armstong

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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