Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001
Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001
If you plan to be at Lollapalooza from Megan Thee Stallion to Blink-182, expect taxes to add $91 to the cost of general admission. Get a premium ticket and city, county and state sales and amusement taxes add $1,001 to the cost.
By Patrick Andriesen
How much does your town make from marijuana tax?
How much does your town make from marijuana tax?
Cannabis tax revenue is stalling statewide in Illinois, but communities still see a tax benefit. See how much your town took in during the past 12 months.
By Kurtis Karg
$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders
$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders
While Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been in office during upgrades in the state’s credit rating and reductions in some state debts, analysis shows improvements were more luck than fiscal design.
By Bryce Hill, Ravi Mishra
Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far
Illinois video gaming brings in $428M in 2024, so far
Video gaming already generated $428 million in tax revenue so far in 2024. Part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new Illinois state budget relies on more revenue from video gaming machines. The tax hike started July 1.
By Kurtis Karg
Here are 10 Illinois laws, taxes starting July 1
Here are 10 Illinois laws, taxes starting July 1
A list of new laws took effect in Illinois on July 1, impacting taxes, licenses and labor relations. Here’s what you need to know.
By Patrick Andriesen
IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022
IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022
New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois Fourth of July drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in the nation
Illinois Fourth of July drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in the nation
This coming Independence Day, motorists fueling up in Illinois will be paying even more at the gas pump.
By Kurtis Karg
Chicago City Council considers 16 new tax and fee hikes
Chicago City Council considers 16 new tax and fee hikes
Chicago Ald. Will Hall, 6th ward, proposed 16 new tax and fee hikes to fellow city council members in a survey.
By Patrick Andriesen
Bally’s casino in Chicago continues to underperform
Bally’s casino in Chicago continues to underperform
Illinois leaders keep hoping for big wins from casinos and other gambling, but the newest casino in Chicago shows expectations are too high again.
By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg
Editorial: Illinois’ spending plan is divorced from its fiscal reality
Editorial: Illinois’ spending plan is divorced from its fiscal reality
The state has enormous debts, and state leaders must pay it down or legally restructure obligations. Until they do, the painful reality is we can’t afford new spending.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit
Illinois retailers taxed $186M by capping sales tax credit
A cap on the retailers’ sales tax credit will effectively hikes taxes on Illinois retailers by $186 million. Retailers are already facing razor-thin margins, but the record $53.1 billion state budget required $1.1 billion in new taxes.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois’ new budget ends statewide grocery tax
Illinois’ new budget ends statewide grocery tax
The new state budget eliminates the 1% grocery tax, placing Illinois with 37 other states by 2026. But the bill gives municipalities the option to implement their own tax without voter approval.
By Kurtis Karg, Dylan Sharkey
Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending
Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending
Illinois state lawmakers’ spending plans came in $410 million higher than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker originally proposed. Taxpayers will be forced to pay $1.1 billion more so Illinois can spend record amounts in fiscal year 2025.
By Bryce Hill