Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

By Patrick Andriesen

07/18/2024

If you plan to be at Lollapalooza from Megan Thee Stallion to Blink-182, expect taxes to add $91 to the cost of general admission. Get a premium ticket and city, county and state sales and amusement taxes add $1,001 to the cost.

TAGS: Lollapalooza, tax

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

By Mailee Smith

07/02/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is putting political goals in its contract demands, something not found in other large cities. It is trying to impose policy on the public without elected representatives debating whether the policies will hurt students and taxpayers.

Here are 10 Illinois laws, taxes starting July 1

By Patrick Andriesen

07/01/2024

A list of new laws took effect in Illinois on July 1, impacting taxes, licenses and labor relations. Here’s what you need to know.

TAGS: taxes

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2024

The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, NASCAR, taxes

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/09/2024

Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.

TAGS: red light cameras

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Vincent Caruso

04/29/2024

Chicago Teachers Union wants revenue meant for homeless if mayor’s tax hike passes

By Mailee Smith

03/15/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has poured at least $400,000 into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s tax hike proposal. If it passes, the union wants to use the taxes generated to fund housing for its own members.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Our perspective: Parents, schools scrambling without low-income scholarships

By Hilary Gowins

02/12/2024

State lawmakers failed to save the Invest in Kids program allowing nearly 10,000 low-income students to attend a school that better fit their needs. Now some of those schools are being forced to close and families are left with poor options.

Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

02/08/2024

Editor’s note: There is a lot of information coming at you every day, but not a lot of context. The Illinois Policy Institute is launching "Our Perspective" to give you our take on topics of the day so you can better shape your take on them.

TAGS: housing market, real estate

Chicago Tribune

Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

Here are 10 Illinois laws, taxes starting July 1

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

Chicago Teachers Union wants revenue meant for homeless if mayor’s tax hike passes

Our perspective: Parents, schools scrambling without low-income scholarships

Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

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