Illinois’ manufacturing sector’s recovery from the Great Recession has lagged behind the recoveries of nearby states, demonstrating the need for bold, pro-growth reforms to set Illinois back on the path to success.
“I can tell you with confidence that 100 percent of our clients think it’s the most ridiculous process they’ve ever gone through. It’s been four months and the project behind me still isn’t approved by the city. “I love everything about our shop. We’re proud of what we do. But the worst part of my...
As companies such as Uber fight to bring driving jobs to underserved neighborhoods, City Council wants to require expensive licensing in exchange for access to customers at airports.
“I’ve lived in Chicago for 38 years, and what I love about driving for UberX is I meet a cross-section of all types of people. I’m discovering new areas of the city. And putting restrictions on it is basically going to eliminate the extra income people are relying on – I’m relying on it. “Why...
Illinois continues to shed jobs and underperform economically compared to its Midwestern neighbors, according to new federal and state reports.
“Not totally dead” yet In the Chicago suburbs of Burr Ridge, Naperville and Hinsdale this summer, sales of high-end real estate hit a huge slump, which continues. For example, Crain’s Chicago Business reports the city of Burr Ridge has 100 homes on the market priced at $1 million or higher, but only 14 have sold...
“Our family came to this country for opportunity, but I find myself discouraging my son from working at our business here. “Property taxes are killing us. Usually your mortgage is your biggest expense, but when your property tax is more than the mortgage, where are you standing? “We’re paying $220,000 a year in property taxes....
“I love this city. But if we can keep an extra $2 million [per year] in our family businesses by moving 15 miles away, why wouldn’t we? “If I didn’t have the workers’ compensation issue and the [property-tax] issue, I probably never would have even considered moving. Why would I?” Marty Flaska President and CEO...
“I feel bad for the working man because they’re the ones who are going to suffer. Those are families being ruined. You know … I look at everything as a family. When you go to work you’re not working for yourself, you’re working for your family. That’s why we work: to better ourselves, to better...
“We’re paying 4% of our home’s value in property taxes. This is a $247,000 house with $9,800 in property taxes. “So we’ll have paid the entire value of our house in property taxes in 25 years, assuming there’s no increase. “I’ve done my research. There’s a home right on the ocean in beautiful Bokeelia, Florida,...
“I was paying $6,000 in property taxes on this house I bought for $52,500. Now it’s $6,000 on a hole in the ground. ”I have friends having kids and I always ask ‘How can you afford it?’ I can barely afford a dog and myself. I have friends in Michigan who are managers at Applebee’s,...
“We’ve lived in five states, but we’ve never had to leave because we couldn’t put down roots there. “Illinois is different. It’s like we have to work as hard as two couples to have the same lifestyle. The taxes are so high, and our schools are good but no better than where we’ve lived before. ...
Government data show freedom from forced unionization means better outcomes for workers.
Newly released IRS data show Illinois lost on net over 81,000 taxpayers and their dependents, and $4.1 billion of annual taxable income to other states in 2013.