The idea that the state’s financial hole is just $3.2 billion is preposterous—off by several multiples. And that’s the claim underpinning the argument of pro-graduated-tax progressives.
Comment: What the…? That’s it. Misuse of your money held by the Treasurer has gone far beyond ridiculous.
Since office buildings typically pass along tax expenses to tenants, new Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s approach threatens one of Chicago’s biggest selling points for companies: Relative to other major markets, it’s a bargain.
By passing this amendment, what will Illinois taxpayers be signing up for — a rigid proposal that allows progressive tax rates on rising levels of income or a vague statement that permits legislators to impose multiple taxes on the same income?
Authors Adam Slade and Nick McFadden estimate that Illinois could save $645 million per year, or $318 per student, if it reduced administrative spending to the national average.
Comment: Somebody is finally asking about cost of all the green energy programs. Billions and billions spent, going unreported.
“I’m here tonight because my property assessment doubled, which seems a little bit unreasonable,” said an 81-year old homeowner.
At the 5:00 mark: Why are so many Chicago-area homes struggling to reach the prices they sold at five, 10, 15 or even 20 years ago? Crain’s Dennis Rodkin has some ideas.
As more people turn to municipal bonds, seemingly as a way to lower their federal tax burden, the result is lower borrowing rates for state governments, which saves money for them.
If the hedge fund manager and his company move to New York, as he’s reportedly considered, Chicago could lose one of its biggest benefactors.
Watch for the mayor to appear in this season’s final episode of “Chicago Fire.” Rahmster will play himself on his last day in office in the May 22 finale of the show’s season 7.
“Let’s simply amend the zoning laws to allow garden level apartments to be added to existing apartment buildings, provided the rents for those apartments are set at affordable housing levels.”
Potential impact on Chicago and other Illinois municipalities.
Aimed at catching shooters who open fire on Chicago area expressways. Feel better now?
A real estate developer has been indicted on federal charges alleging he steered legal work to powerful Ald. Edward Burke in exchange for help at City Hall with a permit and $2 million in tax-increment financing for a Northwest Side development. The charges against Charles Cui, of Lake Forest, were the first to be brought in connection with the ongoing City Hall corruption investigation since Burke himself was accused more than three months ago of attempting to shake down two businessmen seeking to renovate a fast-food restaurant in the 14th Ward.
Comment: if you don’t know what NIMBY means, this is it.
Comment: We’ll resist the temptation to compare to Illinois’ new securitized bond structure, which we’ve described as selling off body parts.
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