Amendment 1 would guarantee Illinois’ sky-high debt, taxes would rise faster

By Adam Schuster, Justin Carlson

01/13/2022

Unfair advantages for public sector unions are already driving Illinois’ massive debt and high taxes. Enshrining their power in the Illinois Constitution would make it worse and give voters less say about government costs.

TAGS: Amendment 1, debt, government unions, Illinois Constitution, taxes

Keep investing in Illinois’ Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships

By Amy Korte

12/08/2021

Illinois state lawmakers resisted efforts to cut tax credit scholarships in Illinois, instead extending the program. Now low-income and minority students need them to make the scholarships permanent so they can get the educations that best fit their needs.

TAGS: education, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, private schools, school, school choice, tax credit scholarships, tax credits, taxes

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

Chicago’s ‘Netflix tax’ revenues more than triple in five years

By Patrick Andriesen

11/08/2021

In 2017, Chicagoans paid $40 million in taxes on cloud computing and streaming services. It was $150 million this past fiscal year.

TAGS: Chicago, Netflix, taxes

Illinois imposes tricky taxes on Halloween treats

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2021

Taxes are different on different types of candy in Illinois, with some brands taxed six times more than others. Just because you can eat it, doesn’t mean Illinois’ tax policy sees it as food.

TAGS: Halloween, Illinois, taxes

2 ways to fix Illinois’ too-high property taxes, teacher shortage

By Ann Miller

10/21/2021

Redirecting some of Illinois’ school district administrative overhead could attract top talent to the more than 4,100 teacher openings. The savings could be $1,317 per taxpayer in one veteran teacher’s hometown. Reform pensions, and that amount grows.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, taxes, teacher shortage

Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment

By Brad Weisenstein

09/13/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment

Chicago ranks No. 2 in the nation for combined state and local sales tax

By Patrick Andriesen

08/31/2021

The Windy City tied with four other major cities as imposing the nation’s second highest sales tax on residents among 124 considered. The report warns the city’s new status could be costing Chicago businesses their competitive edge.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Higher revenue leads to tax cuts in 11 states, but not Illinois

By Perry Zhao

08/25/2021

State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, taxes

Citizenship 101: How to be a more involved Illinoisan

By Brad Weisenstein

08/01/2021

What you need to know to better get answers about what local and state government leaders are doing in Illinois.

TAGS: budget, corruption, FOIA: Freedom of Information Act, government services, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, income tax, Open Meetings Act, property taxes, taxes

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

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Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

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Toni Larocco

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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