Taxes and Fees

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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…

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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,…

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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,…

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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…

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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

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Editorial: Horrors ahead

This editorial features recommendations found in the Civic Federation’s FY2017 Budget Roadmap and discusses Illinois’ potentially bleak future if steps aren’t…

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Civic Federation: Higher Taxes, Spending Limits Needed To Fix State Budget

This article highlights the Civic Federation’s FY2017 State of Illinois Budget Roadmap and its recommendations to help stabilize Illinois’…

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Understanding the First Installment Property Tax Bill

On January 25, 2016, the office of the Cook County Treasurer mailed the first installment of the property tax bill to all homeowners in Cook County which is due on March 1, 2016. The bill lists all taxing districts to which property taxes…

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More Warnings, Advice For Illinois Lawmakers

This article reports on the Civic Federation’s three-year plan to help stabilize Illinois’ budget. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation, comments on…

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Civic Federation: Illinois Needs $9.4 Billion in New Taxes by 2019 to Survive

This article discusses the initiatives highlighted in the Civic Federation’s FY2017 State of Illinois Budget Roadmap necessary to stabilize Illinois’ finances.…