Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners

By Austin Berg

03/31/2016

Since 1990, the average property-tax bill in Illinois has grown more than three times faster than the state's median household income.

TAGS: property taxes, taxes

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

By Chris Lentino

03/25/2016

In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

By Mark Adams

02/26/2016

While the mayor is right to say that expanding the downtown development area is a “win-win” for developers and poor communities, expanding downtown without the mayor’s proposed new tax on developers and inflexible size restrictions would be a bigger win for both.

TAGS: taxes

Out of ideas: Political insiders push for a $30 billion tax hike

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/17/2016

The Civic Federation is pushing a $30 billion tax hike in Illinois, following the same mistaken path that got Illinois in today’s fiscal crisis.

TAGS: Civic Federation, taxes

Chicagoans paying 50% tax rate on raw price of gas

By Hilary Gowins

02/11/2016

While gas prices have dropped to a 12-year low in Illinois, Chicagoans pay $0.32 more per gallon than the state average due to multiple layers of city, county and state taxation.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, taxes, transportation

Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say

By Chris Lentino

02/09/2016

South and West Side aldermen believe that an increase in the tobacco tax will lead to an increase in black-market sales and violence. They're right.

TAGS: Chicago, cigarette tax, taxes

Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies

By Chris Lentino

02/04/2016

Special Service Areas levy taxes on Chicagoans over and above the already steep taxes and fees imposed by the city.

TAGS: Chicago, Special Service Areas, taxes

Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

By Michael Lucci

01/28/2016

Instead of spending reform and policies to promote economic growth, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan proposes the same high-taxing, big-spending plans that got Illinois into its current fiscal mess.

TAGS: taxes

Déjà vu: Illinois has billions in unpaid bills, Madigan calls for another tax hike

By Hilary Gowins

01/27/2016

Without fundamental reforms, the tax hike state Democrats want to impose will only drive Illinois further into decline.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, taxes, unpaid bills

Emanuel cracks down on Airbnb through new tax and regulations

01/21/2016

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed 2 percent tax and new regulations would harm Chicagoans trying to make ends meet by renting out space in their homes, as well as tourists looking for less expensive lodging.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, taxes

taxes

Illinois property taxes are crushing homeowners

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

Emanuel’s building proposal misses the mark on Chicago zoning reform

Out of ideas: Political insiders push for a $30 billion tax hike

Chicagoans paying 50% tax rate on raw price of gas

Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say

Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies

Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

Déjà vu: Illinois has billions in unpaid bills, Madigan calls for another tax hike

Emanuel cracks down on Airbnb through new tax and regulations

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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