Illinois cigarette tax money goes up in smoke

By John Kristof

07/26/2017

Illinois’ high cigarette tax is a flighty source of revenue with unintended consequences.

Illinois income tax increase now in effect

By John Kristof

07/12/2017

The Illinois Department of Revenue issued details on how to comply with the state’s increase income tax, signaling the reality of higher taxes for Illinoisans.

TAGS: budget, Illinois Department of Revenue, income tax, taxes

Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts

By John Kristof

07/07/2017

More than 50 Illinois counties, municipalities and business districts started imposing sales tax increases ranging from 0.25-1.5 percent as of July 1.

TAGS: sales tax

Bill to impose ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers fails to move in Illinois House

By Amy Korte

06/06/2017

Senate Bill 1719 would impose a 20 percent surcharge on fees earned by investment managers, but the spring legislative session ended with the Illinois House failing to call the measure for a vote.

TAGS: Chris Welch, daniel biss, taxes

New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns

By Brendan Bakala

04/26/2017

Illinois House Bill 4039 would reveal publicly the names of state lawmakers who haven’t filed their state tax returns.

TAGS: David McSweeney, lawmaker pay

Illinois is losing its core income tax base

By Madelyn Harwood

04/21/2017

High-income earners provide the majority of Illinois’ income tax revenue, and IRS data show that Illinois is losing these taxpayers to out-migration.

TAGS: graduated income tax, household income, income tax, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration, personal income, population, progressive income tax, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

What Illinoisans should know about their taxes

By Austin Berg

04/20/2017

The average income of taxpayers who leave Illinois is $20,000 more than the taxpayers who arrive here.

TAGS: household income, income tax, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, outmigration, property taxes

Education finance solutions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/09/2017

Making Illinois’ system fairer through pension reform, consolidation and accountability to parents and students.

20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois

By Brendan Bakala

01/03/2017

2017 brings a slew of new sales tax hikes for 20 municipalities in Illinois.

TAGS: local government, municipal government, sales tax, taxes

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

By Mailee Smith

11/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees claims to be seeking a “fair contract” on behalf of Illinois state workers. But the power and influence exerted by the state’s largest government-worker union means the bargaining table almost always tilts in AFSCME’s favor. The reality is that AFSCME is the power player in negotiations...

Illinois Department of Revenue

Illinois cigarette tax money goes up in smoke

Illinois income tax increase now in effect

Sales tax hikes take effect in 50 Illinois taxing districts

Bill to impose ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers fails to move in Illinois House

New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns

Illinois is losing its core income tax base

What Illinoisans should know about their taxes

Education finance solutions

20 local governments raise sales tax in Illinois

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

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