Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile

By Dylan Sharkey

03/14/2025

There’s another push in Springfield to tax motorists by the mile. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation behind only California.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, taxes, VMT: vehicle miles traveled

Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2025

A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Bears, taxes

64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.

TAGS: outmigration, population, taxes

Figure out if there’s a problem before boosting Illinois pensions

By LyLena Estabine

03/11/2025

Without careful evaluation of whether Illinois’ pensions for newer employees are running afoul of federal rules or what the penalties would be, spending $78 million from the state’s budget is premature and wasteful.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, pensions, taxes

Gov. Pritzker hints no tax hikes or pension benefit spikes in 2026 state budget

By Dylan Sharkey, Patrick Andriesen

02/17/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said raising taxes or hiking pension benefits are not first choices for in his fiscal year 2026 budget. The governor said Illinois needs to “live within our means in this state.”

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November

By Ravi Mishra

12/23/2024

Illinois is caught in a sluggish job market with persistently high unemployment. It was third-highest in the U.S. again during November.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, taxes, unemployment

Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M

By Dylan Sharkey

12/11/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes

First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

11/05/2024

Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.

TAGS: pensions, taxes

EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL DE CHICAGO CONSIDERA 16 NUEVOS AUMENTOS DE IMPUESTOS Y TASAS

By Patrick Andriesen

09/02/2024

El concejal de Chicago, Will Hall, del sexto distrito, ha propuesto 16 nuevos aumentos de impuestos y tarifas a sus colegas del concejo municipal a través de una encuesta.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Illinois unemployment rate in July hits 2nd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/16/2024

July unemployment hit 5.2% in Illinois, ranking second worst in the nation. It equated to 341,630 workers looking for a job.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, taxes, unemployment