Changes to federal SALT deduction expose Illinois’ high taxes

By Travis Nix

06/18/2018

House Bill 4237 seeks to get around Congress’ limitation of a federal deduction that benefits high-tax states, but residents would be better served by efforts to directly reduce state and local taxes in Illinois.

TAGS: income tax, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, property taxes, SALT, taxes

Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent

By Eddie Damstra

06/17/2018

The mayor’s proposed 2 percent fee would punish short-term rental customers and providers.

TAGS: Airbnb, budget, Chicago, homesharing, Rahm Emanuel, sharing economy, 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

Illinois lawmakers team up with rental car companies seeking to squeeze out competitors

By Eddie Damstra

06/01/2018

Lawmakers in Springfield are joining forces with Hertz and Enterprise in efforts to punish companies offering innovative alternatives to conventional car rental options.

TAGS: car rental, carsharing, Getaround, Hertz, homesharing, rideshare, taxes, Turo

House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

A majority of House lawmakers sided with the speaker over tapped-out taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick, taxes

Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

05/30/2018

More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, employment, income tax, labor force participation rate, outmigration, personal income, population, progressive income tax, spending cap, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

More than half of local school district administrators earn more than $100,000, and those incomes will get a boost after a recent board decision.

TAGS: Alton, consolidation, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, salaries, school district consolidation, taxes

Illinois’ southernmost counties see population losses in 2017

By Joe Kaiser

05/30/2018

As part of Illinois’ statewide population drop in 2017, southern Illinois counties saw a continuation of population losses they’ve been seeing for years.

TAGS: Alexander County, Jackson County, outmigration, population, property taxes, southern illinois, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

New census data tell the tale of Quad Cities

By Austin Berg

05/25/2018

If current population trends hold, Rock Island, Illinois, will take a back seat to Bettendorf, Iowa, within five years.

TAGS: Iowa, outmigration, personal income, population, property taxes, quad cities, rock island county, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands

By Vincent Caruso

05/24/2018

Taxpayers in the city of Alton, which has identical borders to that of Alton Township, could see savings through consolidation.

TAGS: Alton, budget, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, taxes