Chrysler to cut nearly 1,400 Illinois jobs, add 6,500 in Michigan

By Vincent Caruso

03/01/2019

The Jeep Cherokee manufacturer plans to lay off nearly 1,400 workers at its Belvidere, Illinois, facility and invest $4.5 billion in a 6,500-job expansion in Michigan.

TAGS: employment, Fiat Chrysler, jobs, outmigration, progressive income tax, property taxes, regulations, taxes, unemployment

Pritzker budget would impose statewide tax on plastic bags

By Austin Berg

02/20/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed state budget includes an estimated $19 million to $23 million in new revenue from a statewide tax on plastic bags. Illinois would be the only state in the nation to levy such a tax.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, plastic bags, taxes

Pritzker signs statewide $15 minimum wage into law

By Vincent Caruso

02/19/2019

Estimates from the governor’s office suggest the minimum wage increase will add $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: employment, JB Pritzker, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

House Bill would repeal Illinois estate tax, protect family farms

By Brad Weisenstein

02/14/2019

Illinois is one of just a handful of states that double-taxes people when they die by imposing its own estate tax atop the federal tax. A bill that would repeal Illinois’ estate tax could save family farms.

TAGS: Avery Bourne, estate tax, Jonathan Carroll, taxes

Pilot program for medical marijuana as alternative to opioids goes into effect

02/05/2019

The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program launched Jan. 31, giving more Illinoisans the option to treat pain with medical marijuana in place of opioids.

TAGS: Alternative to Opioids Act, Bruce Rauner, Kelly Cassidy, marijuana, opioid

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

By Adam Schuster

02/04/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines

By Brad Weisenstein

01/14/2019

Illinois already taxes 20 cents more per gallon of gasoline than Missouri. If state lawmakers add another 30 cents per gallon, expect an exodus of southwestern Illinois drivers buying gas and more in St. Louis.

TAGS: gas tax, property taxes, St. Clair County

This Thanksgiving, food stamps will buy nearly 14 percent of Illinoisans’ meals

11/21/2018

Food stamp participation has seen an encouraging decrease, but lagging economic growth leaves Illinois ranked highest among neighboring states in SNAP enrollment.

TAGS: food stamps, SNAP, unemployment

When taxes hit home(s)

By Austin Berg

09/20/2018

Making Illinois a more attractive state in which to plant roots is entirely within lawmakers’ control.

TAGS: homeownership, income tax, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

House hunters: How high taxes hurt home investment in Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Suman Chattopadhyay, Bryce Hill

09/17/2018

Without property and income tax relief, housing in Illinois will continue to be less attractive, Illinois’ population is likely to continue its decline and housing price appreciation can be expected to continue to lag the rest of the nation.

Michigan

Chrysler to cut nearly 1,400 Illinois jobs, add 6,500 in Michigan

Pritzker budget would impose statewide tax on plastic bags

Pritzker signs statewide $15 minimum wage into law

House Bill would repeal Illinois estate tax, protect family farms

Pilot program for medical marijuana as alternative to opioids goes into effect

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

If Illinois hikes gas tax, expect more drivers to buy across state lines

This Thanksgiving, food stamps will buy nearly 14 percent of Illinoisans’ meals

When taxes hit home(s)

House hunters: How high taxes hurt home investment in Illinois

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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