Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2022

The effective state and local tax burden in Illinois has risen from 11.2% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2022. It is now the nation’s seventh highest.

TAGS: Illinois, tax burden

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

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

Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income

07/02/2020

Illinois could be the next state to tax retirement income if voters approve the progressive income tax in November.

TAGS: progressive tax, retirement tax

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

06/30/2020

Independence Day turns many Illinoisans into scofflaws as they ignore rules banning most fireworks. The outdated laws mainly serve fireworks stands in border states.

TAGS: fireworks ban, Independence Day, regulations

Before COVID-19 downturn, Illinois saw shrinking payrolls and nation’s worst loss of manufacturing jobs

By Bryce Hill

03/31/2020

New data show Illinois lost private sector jobs amid a national economic expansion for the first year on record in 2019, a sign of the state’s deep structural problems in the run-up to the current market downturn.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, coronavirus, COVID-19, economic growth, employment, jobs, labor force participation rate, unemployment

With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

01/07/2020

New data shows Illinois since 2010 lost up to $32 billion in income from people moving out. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan would hike rates on residents most likely to leave the state, on net.

TAGS: graduated income tax, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, income, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, JB Pritzker, outmigration, population, progressive income tax, spending cap, Springfield, tax rates, U.S. Census Bureau

Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

11/15/2019

The largest permanent income tax hike in Illinois history was followed by a slide to 34th least-free state in the union, behind nearly every neighboring state.

TAGS: economic freedom, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, pension guarantee, pension spiking, pensions, progressive income tax, taxes

Illinois one of few states limiting freedom to choose fireworks on Independence Day

07/03/2019

Illinois residents are denied the legal celebration of at least one freedom on July 4, but take their fireworks dollars to every border state to ignore the law.

TAGS: fireworks ban, regulations

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

06/14/2018

It is time to give taxpayers and businesses the certainty they need to plan a long-term future in the state.

Vermont

Illinois’ state, local tax burden highest in Midwest after 2nd-largest increase in U.S.

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Fireworks ban makes outlaws out of Illinoisans on Independence Day

Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income

Illinois fireworks ban costing the state jobs, money, independence

Before COVID-19 downturn, Illinois saw shrinking payrolls and nation’s worst loss of manufacturing jobs

With voters set to decide on progressive income tax, Illinois wealth flight among worst in the nation

Income tax hike dropped Illinois’ economic freedom rank, ‘fair tax’ would drop it more

Illinois one of few states limiting freedom to choose fireworks on Independence Day

Bad budgeting basics: How Illinois’ budget process hurts taxpayers

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