Taxes and Fees

.

Civic Federation Opposes Governor's Recommended Budget

Urges General Assembly and Governor not to pass or sign any appropriations for FY2017 unless part of a comprehensive plan (CHICAGO) – In a report released today, the Civic Federation’s Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability…

.

McCormick Place Plan For Lucas Museum Under Scrutiny

This article discusses the City of Chicago’s billion-dollar plan to build the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art that will require borrowing and tax increases. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, explains that until an…

.

Emanuel's Lucas Museum plan is expensive long shot

This article examines the amount of borrowing and tax increases necessary for the City to construct the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that it would be difficult to prioritize…

.

Illinois Budget Impasse Would Be Solved In No Time If These Folks Were In Charge

This article discusses a recent state budget forum featuring a panel of eight Illinois lawmakers providing their respective insights on Illinois’ current financial crisis. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall co-moderated the…

.

Illinois Has No Budget, So Where Do State Tax Dollars Go, Anyway?

This segment examines how the State of Illinois has been spending billions of dollars in revenue even in the absence of an FY2016 budget. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, notes that the impasse creates tremendous burdens…

.

Illinois’ State Budget Deficits Overshadow Continued Economic Growth

As the State of Illinois’ budget impasse continues to drag on, it is commonly overlooked that the underlying economy and tax base in the State continue to grow. In FY2017 the State of Illinois is projected to have an additional $631…

.

Value of the Senior Freeze Homestead Exemption in Cook County Plummeted 71.7% Between 2009 and 2014

Ed. note: Updated information on this topic can be found here. ----- Three years ago,…

.

Selected Consumer Taxes in the City of Chicago

This annual brief provides a compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, in place in the City of Chicago as of May 1, 2016. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, amusement tax, lease tax, hotel tax,…

.

Chicago and Cook County Impose Tax on Electronic Cigarettes

Consumers of electronic cigarettes in the City of Chicago and Cook County as a whole will pay new taxes in 2016. As part of their FY2016 budget processes the City of Chicago and Cook County both expanded their taxes on tobacco products to…

.

Editorial: "A reasonable blueprint"

This editorial discusses the eight-month Illinois budget impasse, calling on Illinois General Assembly leaders to aid in passing a budget. The Civic Federation’s