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Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

By Lisa Rigoni
03/04/2021
Illinois again ranked second for highest property tax rates in the nation in 2021, behind only New Jersey. Illinois homeowners average $4,942 in property taxes on the U.S. median valued home of $217,500 – exactly double the national average. That’s a tax each year of 2.27% of the house value, according to the 2021 state...

TAGS: pensions, population, property taxes

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

By Brad Weisenstein
03/01/2021
Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Fix or sell? Illinois’ high property taxes make either tough

By Hilary Gowins
02/11/2021
The nation’s second-highest property taxes could come down if Illinois cut school bureaucracy and reformed public pensions. Until they do, fixing the housing stock is a tough sell.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes

Moving companies report Illinois exodus hits 10th year

By Ann Miller
01/14/2021
More people again in 2020 became former Illinoisans than new Illinoisans. The new General Assembly has the power to stop the moving vans.

TAGS: COVID-19, outmigration, population, property taxes

Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house

By Ann Miller
12/18/2020
Illinois homeowners pay double the national average on their property tax bills.

TAGS: home alone, property taxes, Winnetka

Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget

By Ben Szalinski
12/04/2020
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to raise revenue to close large revenue gaps partially brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot, property tax, property taxes

Chicago taxpayers on the hook for extra $2 billion under Lightfoot plan

By Ben Szalinski
11/21/2020
Lightfoot’s budget depends on borrowing and property tax hikes.

TAGS: borrowing, Chicago, debt, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

Many Illinois municipalities will vote on property taxes Nov. 3

By Joe Tabor
10/30/2020
Property taxes are on the ballot in Madison, Winnebago and Champaign counties.

TAGS: ballot referendums, Election Day, property taxes

‘Fair tax’ is no fix for out-of-control Cook County property taxes

By Joe Barnas
10/28/2020
Cook County property taxes have grown at triple the rate of the cost of living. The “fair tax” backers promise it will bring property tax relief, but the evidence refutes their claim.

TAGS: Cook County, fair tax, JB Pritzker, property taxes

‘Fair tax’ ads falsely promise property tax relief that income tax hikes can’t deliver

By Adam Schuster
10/23/2020
Every state without an income tax has lower property taxes than Illinois. The progressive tax amendment includes no property tax reforms, so there’s no guarantee property taxes won’t rise as income taxes rise.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, property taxes, Vote Yes for Fairness

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Budget + Tax / Research Report

Progressive tax could cost nearly $1,800 a year in home equity


Evidence from Connecticut suggests the progressive income tax could cost Illinois homeowners substantial equity in their homes.

View Report

Report Archive

Jobs + Growth / Your Story

Sheldrick Holmes: Grail Café

Jobs + Growth / Policy Point

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

By J. Scott Moody, Wendy Warcholik
07/07/2014
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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Illinois' comeback story starts here