Sangamon County home values down 7%, property taxes up 14% since recession

By Brad Weisenstein

09/25/2019

Without true pension reform, Sangamon County homeowners will only continue to see the gap between their property taxes and home values grow.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Sangamon County, Springfield, taxes

Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

By Austin Berg

08/22/2019

Government employees under Madigan’s watch were made to feel accountable to lobbyists, political campaign staff and other outside interests. Not the public.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Springfield

Springfield area residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

By Joe Barnas

04/29/2019

A progressive tax won’t stop constant property tax hikes. Pension reform will.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, progressive income tax, property taxes, Springfield, taxes

Voters want Springfield to shed a little government

By Janelle Cammenga

11/07/2018

Voters said they don’t need a township on top of Springfield city government, but unless Sangamon County leaders act there will be no tax savings.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, Springfield, taxes, townships

Springfield shopping gets pricier after voters OK school sales tax

By Janelle Cammenga

11/07/2018

Voters decided Sangamon County school building improvements were worth boosting Springfield’s sales tax to among the highest in the nation. The 1 percent sales tax hike will take the total to 10.75 percent at some stores.

TAGS: sales tax, Sangamon County, Springfield, taxes

County referendum would raise Springfield sales tax burden to among nation’s highest

By Janelle Cammenga

09/11/2018

A proposed 1 percent sales tax for school facilities improvements would bring the city of Springfield’s combined sales tax rate to 9.75 percent – among the highest in the nation.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, sales tax, Sangamon County, Springfield, taxes

Springfield taxpayers could see savings through township consolidation

By Joe Kaiser

08/28/2018

A ballot question asking voters whether to eliminate Capital Township could bring savings to Springfield taxpayers – but that would just be one of many steps worth taking to lower Springfield’s high property taxes.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, Sangamon County, Springfield, townships

Retiring as early as age 50, Springfield municipal pensioners bank over $1M

By Joe Kaiser

08/13/2018

Among the 23 former city of Springfield employees who retired at age 50, five have accumulated more than $1 million in pension benefits.

TAGS: IMRF: Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Springfield

Springfield arena a multimillion-dollar drain on local taxpayers

By Joe Kaiser

06/26/2018

As part of a large and growing property tax bill, Springfield area taxpayers have to bail out the Bank of Springfield Center.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, Springfield, taxes

As city of Springfield sees taxes rise, its population falls

By Joe Kaiser

06/06/2018

With pension debt straining city finances, local politicians have insisted on turning to its declining population for more tax revenue.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, municipal pensions, outmigration, pensions, population, property taxes, Sangamon County, Springfield, taxes