Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes
Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes
Sales taxes can exceed 10% in Illinois depending on where consumers do their holiday shopping. The average has been creeping up in recent years.
Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house
Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house
Illinois homeowners pay double the national average on their property tax bills.
Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban
Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban
Illinois’ jobs numbers have slipped for the second time in the past three months as the rest of the nation steadily recovers.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker calls for $700M in service cuts, silent on pension reform
Pritzker calls for $700M in service cuts, silent on pension reform
Illinois’ current budget started out at a deficit, hoped for a tax increase that was rejected and counted on a federal bail-out that never came. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s best fix is pension reform.
By Brad Weisenstein
Pensions set to consume 29% of Illinois’ budget amid $7 billion debt increase
Pensions set to consume 29% of Illinois’ budget amid $7 billion debt increase
New official reporting from the state of Illinois shows both rising debt and rising costs in state retirement systems, with essential government services again facing cuts.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels
Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels
New unemployment claims are rising in Illinois, hitting 142,745 last week as COVID-19 restrictions continue.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois House ends Madigan investigation
Illinois House ends Madigan investigation
The Illinois House Special Investigating Committee did little that was special or investigative before ending their probe of Mike Madigan.
By Brad Weisenstein
Peoria pensions causing police, fire layoffs as property tax hike sought
Peoria pensions causing police, fire layoffs as property tax hike sought
Emergency services have been cut in Peoria because public pension costs are growing. Voters will be asked whether a property tax hike should fix the problem.
Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months
Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months
Chicago leaders are using another gas tax hike to help fill a budget hole driven by pensions. Total gas taxes and fees are closing in on $1 per gallon.