Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends
Published Jan. 30, 2022
4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap
Causes, costs, how to set the state free
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Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021
Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.
Illinois considers local gas taxes atop doubled state gas tax
Illinois has the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, but a new bill would let cities add a local gas tax on top of the state and federal taxes and fees. Illinois doubled its gasoline tax in 2019, part of $5.2 billion in new taxpayer costs since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.
Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money
Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.
Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation
Nearly one-third of the cell phone bills in Illinois are taxes
Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses
Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.
Illinois drivers surrounded by states with lower gas tax rates
Illinois doubled the gas tax in 2019, which pushed it to No. 3 in the nation for highest average gas tax.
Pritzker benches fall football, puts COVID-19 restrictions on other amateur sports
Fall’s most popular high school sports lost out as public health, sports and academic leaders put pandemic restrictions on youth, high school and adult amateur sports starting Aug. 15.
Illinois tops neighboring states with $10 minimum wage on July 1
Illinois’ second minimum wage increase this year is part of a plan to hit $15 an hour in 2025. Small businesses face tough decisions on cutting staff or raising prices.
Illinois gas tax set for automatic increase July 1
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.
