Feds investigating former Cook County assessor, Madigan rainmaker Joe Berrios

By Austin Berg

12/17/2019

The probe potentially opens up a new front in authorities’ investigation of House Speaker Mike Madigan: the property tax appeals game from which he has made millions.

TAGS: capital project, Chicago, conflict of interest, Cook County, Cook County assessor, Cook County Democratic Party, corruption, Ed Burke, federal investigation, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Joseph Berrios, Legislative Inspector General, legislative map, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes, redistricting, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, Springfield

FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

09/27/2019

Federal agents raided the offices of three suburban villages, including one governed by a mayor who doubles as a Cook County commissioner. All three are in the district of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, also the subject of a federal raid.

TAGS: capital bill, capital project, Christopher Getty, corruption, Jay Hoffman, Jeff Tobolski, Kevin Quinn, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Tom Cullerton

Illinoisans to pay highest gas prices in Midwest, following attacks in Saudi Arabia

By Vincent Caruso

09/17/2019

Turmoil overseas for the world’s leading exporter of crude oil will mean more pain at the pump for Illinoisans, after enduring a doubled state gas tax in July.

TAGS: capital project, fair tax, gas tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.

07/26/2019

Data from the American Petroleum Institute confirms doubling Illinois’ motor fuel tax will bring total taxes paid at the pump to third highest in the nation, up from 10th highest a year earlier.

TAGS: budget, capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois gasoline tax doubles today

By Vincent Caruso

07/01/2019

Starting today, the state’s tax on motor fuel will double from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon. The hike pushes Illinois from 10th to No. 3 in the nation for high gas taxes.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Pritzker signs bill doubling Illinois gas tax

By Vincent Caruso

06/28/2019

Illinoisans will shoulder one of the nation’s heaviest tax burdens at the pump – and the DMV.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois state lawmakers introduce, pass $85 billion in spending in 12 hours

By Austin Berg

06/01/2019

A new governor and Democratic supermajorities have retained the same chaotic budgeting process that has brought the state’s credit rating to near-junk status.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, capital project, gas tax, Greg Harris, JB Pritzker, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Pritzker gas tax hike would cost average driver $100 more per year

05/30/2019

Illinoisans would end up paying more at the pump under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed capital plan.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Pritzker says he will not engage in horse-trading to win support for tax hikes

05/25/2019

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will not selectively hand out infrastructure projects as a way to buy support for proposals to increase taxes and fees, should he stick to his word.

TAGS: capital project, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

Gas prices spike ahead of Memorial Day weekend, as future tax hikes loom

05/25/2019

A nationwide gas price surge reached its peak just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, with Illinois gas prices sitting above the national average.

TAGS: capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, transportation