Illinoisans pay 2nd-highest local government fines, fees in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2023

Illinoisans gave up $50 on average to fines and fees last year. That’s the second-most in the nation and almost double the U.S. average.

TAGS: fees, local government

Pritzker hands businesses $650M in taxes, fee hikes during pandemic

By Dylan Sharkey

06/13/2022

Since taking office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has passed 24 tax and fee hikes worth $5.24 billion. Of that, $650 million directly targeted businesses as they fought through a pandemic economy.

TAGS: COVID-19, fees, JB Pritzker, taxes

Bill could help Illinois businesses recovering from pandemic restrictions

By Justin Carlson

06/22/2021

State lawmakers passed a bill allowing local governments to waive licensing fees and registration costs for businesses harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it won’t spare them from state taxes.

TAGS: COVID-19, fees, Illinois, permits, small business

Illinois lawmakers ready to repeal $100 trailer fee hike, but Pritzker won’t let go of cash

By Brad Weisenstein

04/20/2021

A bipartisan bill to repeal a $100 hike on license plates for trailers has so many sponsors, it could pass the Illinois House. Still, the bill is stuck in committee because Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration wants to hold on to the revenue.

TAGS: fees, JB Pritzker, vehicle registration

To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

04/02/2020

Struggling businesses, individuals and families need relief while the economy is shut down. Despite Illinois’ financial woes, leaders can help the recovery by lifting government-imposed financial burdens.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, fees, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, property taxes

After $1B in tickets and 4 corruption indictments, Illinois should shutter the red-light camera industry

By Austin Berg

01/30/2020

With a federal corruption probe burrowing deeper into Springfield, the Illinois General Assembly has only one choice when it comes to the future of a red-light camera industry that has infected nearly 100 communities statewide: shut it down.

TAGS: bribery, Chicago, corruption, David McSweeney, fees, fines, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, John Bills, local government, Martin O'Malley, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan, red light cameras, Redflex Traffic Systems, SafeSpeed, Springfield

What you need to know about REAL ID in Illinois

01/27/2020

A trip to renew your state ID or driver’s license can be a confusing experience. Here is what you need to know before you go to get a REAL ID.

TAGS: airport, federal government, fees, George W. Bush, identification, Illinois, Illinois Secretary of State, REAL ID, Real ID Act, Springfield, U.S. Congress

Illinois license plate sticker among most expensive in the nation

01/01/2020

Illinoisans will be paying among the nation’s highest vehicle registration fees as part of a $45 billion infrastructure proposal pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the General Assembly.

TAGS: fees, JB Pritzker, taxes, vehicle registration

Tax on Uber, Lyft rides in downtown Chicago set to triple Jan. 1

By Vincent Caruso

12/09/2019

Chicagoans will pay higher taxes on rideshare trips in 2020 as part of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s first budget.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Chicago Department of Transportation, congestion tax, CTA: Chicago Transit Authority, fees, Illinois Constitution, Lyft, outmigration, population, taxis, transportation, Uber

Chicago eliminates library late fees, forgives outstanding debt

09/30/2019

Chicago Public Library is now the largest public library system in the nation to stop penalizing residents for overdue library books.

TAGS: Chicago, fees, fines, library, Lori Lightfoot