Nearly one-third of the cell phone bills in Illinois are taxes

Illinois’ state and local sales taxes make shopping for gifts an expensive gesture of kindness every holiday season.

Taxes alone hike the average Illinois cellphone bill by 31%.

Cellphone taxes increased nationwide – and Illinois moved up to be the top taxer. Add another $157 in tax on Chicagoans’ wireless bills.

In a comparative analysis of taxes and fees in the nation's top 15 cities, Chicago won first place more times than any other city.

Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto nixing fee hikes from a 911 service reauthorization bill lawmakers sent to his desk, noting Illinoisans already pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on their cellphones. But those fee hikes will become law, as lawmakers have voted to override the governor’s veto.

Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto nixing fee hikes from a 911 service reauthorization bill lawmakers sent to his desk. Illinoisans already pay some of the nation’s highest taxes on their cellphones.

Chicagoans already pay the highest in the nation 911 surcharge and a newly passed bill would raise that rate even higher.

Illinoisans already pay the nation’s fourth-highest wireless taxes. But a new bill awaiting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature would make this burden even heavier.

Illinoisans pay more in wireless taxes than residents of any neighboring state.