Why economic shocks hurt Illinoisans more – Crain’s*

In Chicago, drivers pay nine different taxes on gas. In addition, Illinois consistently ranks toward the bottom for its high cost of doing business. Illinois’ public policy decisions result in relatively higher prices for consumers and higher input costs for businesses, worsening the squeeze on Illinois families and businesses. Most important, during times of economic uncertainty, state and local policy should be able to respond quickly to changing economic conditions. In Illinois, this is nearly impossible, but the astronomical increase in pension costs that constrains state and local budgets.