A recession would quickly sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund

By LyLena Estabine

03/24/2026

State unemployment insurance could withstand less than three months in an economic downturn. The taxes that support the fund are among the highest in the country.

3 things to know about Pat Quinn’s ‘millionaire tax’

By LyLena Estabine

01/23/2026

Former Gov. Pat Quinn claims a millionaire tax would offer Illinoisans property tax relief, but it won’t work without pension reform.

TAGS: millionaire tax, Pat Quinn

Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs

By Bryce Hill

11/26/2025

Small Business Saturday gives Illinoisans another reason to be thankful: these businesses have been the sole job creators since 2020.

Illinois lawmakers again push disguised ‘retirement tax’

By Ravi Mishra

11/21/2025

Illinois voters soundly rejected a progressive state income tax because it was a path to tax retirees. That isn’t stopping state lawmakers from trying again.

Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness

By Patrick Andriesen

11/07/2025

Illinois’ state tax competitiveness ranking dropped six spots – from 32nd to 38th in the past six years. That’s the worst in the Midwest.

New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it

By Dylan Sharkey

09/08/2025

Apple’s new iPhone launch on Sept. 9 may be a celebration for tech consumers, but it also makes the Illinois taxman smile. Illinois already had the nation’s highest tax rate on cell phone plans before it bumped up even more July 1.

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Illinois lost 218 businesses to other states in 2023, part of an acceleration to triple the rate of what losses were before the pandemic. When adjusted for population, Illinois ranked No. 2 for the most business losses.

Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

By Ravi Mishra

07/21/2025

In another short-term revenue move, Illinois lawmakers July 1 turned to vape and other nicotine product tax hikes to allow ever-more spending. Taxes on vape products went from 15% to 45% of the wholesale cost.

TAGS: vaping

Illinois ranked No. 1 for cell phone taxes – before latest hike

By Charlotte Rotkis

07/11/2025

Illinoisans paid the highest state and local taxes for wireless cell phone services in the nation in 2024 – $136 per family more than the average. An increase in Illinois’ telecommunication tax July 1 just made them even higher.

TAGS: cell phone tax, Illinois, taxes

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

By Dylan Sharkey

04/09/2025

Illinois lawmakers are looking at a bill that would cut sales taxes during back-to-school shopping. Illinois hasn’t had a sales tax holiday in years. The bill would lower the state sales tax from 6.25% to 1.25% on clothes and school supplies for six days in August 2025.

TAGS: sales tax

Tax Foundation

A recession would quickly sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund

3 things to know about Pat Quinn’s ‘millionaire tax’

Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs

Illinois lawmakers again push disguised ‘retirement tax’

Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness

New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

Illinois ranked No. 1 for cell phone taxes – before latest hike

Illinois might revive back-to-school sales tax holiday

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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