Bad Santa: Sobering ‘sin taxes’ in Illinois among nation’s highest

By Vincent Caruso

12/12/2019

Excise taxes have failed to rehabilitate Illinois’ failing fiscal health. But lawmakers have yet to kick the habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, amusement tax, cigarette tax, excise tax, soda tax, taxes

The Windy City blows away your holiday travel dollars

By Brad Weisenstein

05/19/2019

Illinois stands above its peers when it comes to taxing residents. But Chicago makes it really something to behold when visitors see that famous skyline with all its tall taxes.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, gas tax, parking violations, sales tax, taxes, transportation

Pritzker capital plan would double Illinois gas tax, hike vehicle registration fees, create new taxes on Uber and Netflix

By Austin Berg

05/17/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office is using a major capital bill as a vehicle to grease lawmakers for a progressive income tax amendment. But the tax hikes to pay for it would make Illinoisans’ gas tax burden the second highest in the nation.

TAGS: alcohol tax, amusement tax, capital project, fair tax, gas tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, Lyft, Netflix, progressive income tax, rideshare, satellite tax, streaming tax, Uber, vehicle registration

Eventbrite begins collecting 9% amusement tax on Chicago ticket sales

04/29/2019

Eventbrite will comply with the expanded Chicago amusement tax, and begin collecting and remitting the 9% citywide tax May 2.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, Eventbrite, Netflix, taxes

Chicago slaps PlayStation users with expansion of 9 percent amusement tax

11/18/2018

PlayStation users will now see an extra 9 percent tax applied to some purchases on the platform.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, Labell v. City of Chicago, taxes, Toi Hutchinson

Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2017

Chicago has some of the highest taxes on travelers in the nation.

TAGS: Airbnb, amusement tax, Chicago, collaborative economy, Cook County, hotel tax, Rahm Emanuel, rideshare, transportation

Bad Santa: Illinois’ ‘sin taxes’ among the highest in the country

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2017

Despite diminishing returns, the Prairie State has yet to kick its excise tax habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, amusement tax, cigarette tax, taxes

For your entertainment: Latest Chicago tax hike hits concerts, theater

By Chris Lentino

11/13/2017

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed increase in the city’s amusement tax is nothing but the continued nickel-and-diming of Chicagoans.

TAGS: amusement tax, Chicago, Chicago City Council, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Rahm’s new budget packed with fee hikes and false hope

By Chris Lentino

10/19/2017

In his annual budget address, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel painted a rosy picture about city finances while selling more tax and fee increases.

TAGS: amusement tax, budget, Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois pitches sales tax for Netflix, Spotify, other streaming services

03/03/2017

A new proposal from state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights, would tax internet streaming services in Illinois, much like the potentially illegal internet streaming tax implemented in Chicago.

TAGS: amusement tax, budget, grand bargain, Illinois Senate, Netflix, sales tax, taxes, Toi Hutchinson