If ‘fair tax’ passes, expect more seniors to leave Illinois looking to avoid retirement tax

By Adam Schuster, Bryce Hill

10/09/2020

Illinois would have lost an additional 10,577 seniors from 2012 to 2018 if outmigration were as severe as in Connecticut, the last state to enact a progressive income tax.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, retirement tax

Pritzker revenue director sponsored bill to tax retirement income

10/07/2020

Taxing retirement income is not a new idea to Illinois politicians, but denying they want to tax seniors is new since that part of the “fair tax” plan slipped out.

TAGS: fair tax, JB Pritzker, retirement tax

Lawmaker who voted for ‘fair tax’ pleads guilty to tax fraud

By Vincent Caruso

09/16/2020

Five key supporters of the progressive tax in the Illinois General Assembly are facing corruption probes. Four have been charged. Three have resigned.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, fair tax, Terry Link

Taxpayer tab totals $111.3M to keep Southwestern Illinois airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

08/28/2020

Each year St. Clair County taxpayers must add money to keep MidAmerica St. Louis Airport open. COVID-19 could turn a hefty financial burden into an albatross.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport, St. Clair County, waste

Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1

06/15/2020

State lawmakers last summer doubled Illinois’ gas tax to help pay for capital projects. Each year the gas tax automatically rises, shielding lawmakers from responsibility for hikes.

TAGS: capital plan, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Martin Sandoval

To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

By Adam Schuster

04/02/2020

Struggling businesses, individuals and families need relief while the economy is shut down. Despite Illinois’ financial woes, leaders can help the recovery by lifting government-imposed financial burdens.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, fees, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, property taxes

Special report: Illinois must act now to guard against COVID-19 financial fallout

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2020

Due to its poor financial health and lagging economy, Illinois carries unique economic and fiscal risks from a prolonged market downturn or recession. The state must act now to mitigate harm from COVID-19.

Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread

By Austin Berg

03/16/2020

The order comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois continues to rise.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, small business

Pritzker’s accounting gimmicks can’t fix pension crisis, but real reform can

By Adam Schuster

02/21/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker previously floated a pension plan that included pawning-off state assets, taking on more high-interest debt and reducing pension funding before walking back the plan amid criticism. Here’s a real solution.

TAGS: bonds, budget, COLA: cost of living adjustment, credit rating, fair tax, Illinois Constitution, Illinois Department of Revenue, JB Pritzker, Moody's Investor Service, pensions, progressive income tax, Standard & Poor's

Chicago commuter will see $286 parking tax hike Jan. 1 under Pritzker plan

12/23/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s capital plan calls for an increased parking tax, just one of the new ways drivers will pay more in 2020.

TAGS: Chicago, JB Pritzker, parking tax, tax hikes, tax increase, taxes

Illinois Department of Revenue

If ‘fair tax’ passes, expect more seniors to leave Illinois looking to avoid retirement tax

Pritzker revenue director sponsored bill to tax retirement income

Lawmaker who voted for ‘fair tax’ pleads guilty to tax fraud

Taxpayer tab totals $111.3M to keep Southwestern Illinois airport open

Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1

To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

Special report: Illinois must act now to guard against COVID-19 financial fallout

Pritzker orders closure of all Illinois bars and restaurants amid coronavirus spread

Pritzker’s accounting gimmicks can’t fix pension crisis, but real reform can

Chicago commuter will see $286 parking tax hike Jan. 1 under Pritzker plan

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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