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

Moving company ranks Illinois 2nd in nation for outbound moves

By Joe Barnas

01/07/2019

Outbound movers cited lack of jobs as most common reason for leaving Illinois in 2018. Most of those who left earned at least $100,000.

TAGS: employment, income tax, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes, united van lines

Quincy hikes property taxes to pay for pensions

By Joe Barnas

12/21/2018

The Gem City joins a growing list of Illinois municipalities raising property taxes to pay for pensions.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, real estate, taxes

How shock at McHenry County tax bills is fueling a revolution

By Joe Kaiser

12/21/2018

Frustration over high taxes and government waste in Illinois need more than an angry social media post or a moving van. Some residents of McHenry County, Illinois, acted, and are winning reforms.

TAGS: McHenry County, property taxes, taxes

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2019

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2018

In 2018, Springfield handed Illinoisans more of the same repackaged policy failures. Lawmakers in the coming year should tape to their desks this wish list of taxpayer-friendly reforms.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, criminal justice reform, education, graduated income tax, income tax, pensions, prison reform, progressive income tax, property taxes, school choice, school district consolidation, sentencing reform, spending cap, U.S. Census Bureau

‘Home Alone’ with a $38,500 property tax bill

By Joe Kaiser

12/19/2018

As pension costs explode for Winnetka and the rest of Illinois, owners of the “Home Alone” house featured in the 1990 film are feeling the effects.

TAGS: property taxes, real estate

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel endorses pension amendment to Illinois Constitution

By Adam Schuster

12/11/2018

Outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel is publicly pushing for a constitutional amendment to the state’s pension clause. Pension reform is the only way to combat rising property taxes and prevent further budget chaos in Illinois state and local governments.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Seal-Rite Door exits Rockford for Wisconsin

By Vincent Caruso

12/11/2018

Seal-Rite’s doors are hardly the first to close in Illinois and reopen in the Badger State.

TAGS: outmigration, pensions, property taxes, rockford, taxes, workers compensation

Fitch warns against CTBA’s reckless pension plan

By Adam Schuster

12/11/2018

Fitch Ratings has issued a warning about a pension plan pushed by one Illinois think tank, which includes no reform and would harm the state’s credit rating. The response from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability proves how indefensible the plan really is.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, Fitch Ratings, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

More than 70 Belleville-area school retirees are pension millionaires

By Vincent Caruso

12/10/2018

Pension payouts collected by the Belleville area’s top-earning school retirees underscore the need to reform Illinois’ unaffordable pension system.

TAGS: Belleville, Belleville School District 118, Belleville Township School District 201, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes