Taxes and Fees

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Bond investors want Illinois to dig deeper

This article discusses concerns in the bond market that the State of Illinois’ recent tax increase does not do enough to correct the State’s precarious finances. The Civic Federation says the bond market is especially concerned with…

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Editorial: Let the state cost-cutting begin

This editorial about the recent State of Illinois income tax increase, which includes an annual cap on spending, mentions a Civic Federation suggestion that the State should spend less than the cap and only up to available revenues.

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Reaction to Historic Tax Hike

In this segment of the "Chicago Tonight" news program, Civic Federation President Laurence Msall participates in a roundtable discussion about the State of Illinois' passage of a large income tax increase package.

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State of Illinois Raises Income Taxes But May Not Have Fixed Budget Problems

In the last hours of the 96th Illinois General Assembly, on January 11, 2011, the legislature took significant action on the State’s budget by passing a bill to increase personal income tax rates from 3% to 5% and corporate income tax…

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Civic Federation Supports Enactment of Senate Bill 3778

On January 13, 2011, the Civic Federation sent this letter to Governor Quinn urging him to sign Senate Bill 3778. Click here to read a Civic…

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UPDATE: Governor Quinn Ends Seniors Ride Free

On February 14 Governor Quinn signed into law Public Act 096-1527 which effectively ended the Seniors Ride Free program instituted by former Governor Rod…

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Cook County’s Move from Property to Sales Tax

As part of the Cook County Modernization Report, the Civic Federation examined the County’s revenue and tax structure. Cook County is the only county in Illinois to…

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Cook homeowners carrying heavier load in assessments

This article is about how the property tax assessment load in the northwest suburbs of Cook County has recently shifted more onto homeowners. The Civic Federation says that the data is not cause for alarm due to the large number of…

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Civic Federation Provides Extensive Online Commentary and Analysis

In 2010 the Civic Federation blog provided comprehensive information about government and fiscal issues across Illinois for the public, government officials and media. In a range of posts on topics from the…

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Selected Consumer Taxes in the City of Chicago: December 2010

This brief provides an updated compilation of selected consumer taxes, including rates and descriptions, in effect in the City of Chicago on December 1, 2010. It includes such taxes as the sales tax, gas tax, amusement tax, lease tax,…