Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.

By Noah Shaar

07/17/2021

Illinoisans pay one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation when local and state sales taxes are averaged. The average rate of 8.83% was up slightly from a year earlier.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Fireworks ban makes outlaws out of Illinoisans on Independence Day

By Patrick Andriesen

06/25/2021

For nearly 80 years, Illinoisans have voted against the state fireworks ban by crossing state lines each July to buy fireworks, despite threatened penalties. The state is now one of four nationwide to prohibit celebrating Independence Day with fireworks.

TAGS: fireworks ban, Illinois, Independence Day

Bill could help Illinois businesses recovering from pandemic restrictions

By Justin Carlson

06/22/2021

State lawmakers passed a bill allowing local governments to waive licensing fees and registration costs for businesses harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it won’t spare them from state taxes.

TAGS: COVID-19, fees, Illinois, permits, small business

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

04/02/2021

Combine the corporate tax rate President Joe Biden wants to fund his infrastructure plan with Illinois’ tax, and the resulting rate would be 35.4% – fifth highest in the nation and second in the Midwest.

TAGS: corporate income tax, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Joe Biden, small business

Illinois is one of few states with ‘Death Tax.’ Bill would make it highest in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

03/26/2021

Increasing the estate tax would hurt family farms and businesses, drive wealth and investment out of Illinois. Most states are ending their ‘death taxes.’

TAGS: death tax, estate tax, farms

Citizens Empowerment Act could mean relief for Illinois property taxpayers

By Justin Carlson

03/22/2021

House Bill 433 would make it easier for Illinois taxpayers to dissolve unnecessary units of government in the state with the nation’s highest number of government units.

TAGS: administrative bloat, Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2021

Illinois has a chance to fix its state finances, thanks to federal relief. But unless pension growth is brought under control, both retirees and taxpayers will be at risk as debt continues to consume state services.

Pritzker’s budget pushes 9 new taxes worth nearly $1 billion

By Adam Schuster

02/24/2021

The budget proposal includes no reforms to pensions or other cost drivers, misleadingly labels various business tax increases as ‘closing corporate tax loopholes,’ and relies on gimmicks that conceal true deficits. And there’s a new gas tax.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, tax hikes

Illinois’ high corporate tax rate hurts jobs when businesses need COVID-19 help

By Brad Weisenstein

02/09/2021

A new ranking puts Illinois’ corporate tax rates near the top. Still, Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to extract $900 million more from corporations after failing to stop up to $1 billion in COVID-19 tax credits for small businesses.

TAGS: corporate income tax, COVID-19, jobs, loophole

Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses

By Adam Schuster

01/13/2021

Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, recession, small business, tax hikes

Tax Foundation

Illinois state, local sales taxes rank 7th in U.S.

Fireworks ban makes outlaws out of Illinoisans on Independence Day

Bill could help Illinois businesses recovering from pandemic restrictions

Biden corporate tax plan would push Illinois rates to No. 5

Illinois is one of few states with ‘Death Tax.’ Bill would make it highest in U.S.

Citizens Empowerment Act could mean relief for Illinois property taxpayers

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

Pritzker’s budget pushes 9 new taxes worth nearly $1 billion

Illinois’ high corporate tax rate hurts jobs when businesses need COVID-19 help

Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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