Patch on Politics

Income Taxes Leave You Feeling Flat?

State legislature may consider whether to move to a graduated income tax rate, meaning those who earn more would pay more.

Did the tax man take a big bite out of your wallet this month? With tax season almost behind us, let's take a look at an issue before the state legislature — should Illinois switch from a flat income tax rate to a graduated rate? The last year Illinoisans escaped paying income tax to the state was 1969. Just seven states still collect no income tax. Thirty-four states use the graduated income tax system, while eight others join Illinois in imposing one rate on all. Our friends at Reboot Illinois put together a graphic look at various aspects of the flat tax vs. graduated tax debate, excerpted here on Patch.  Check out the full graphic at RebootIllinois.com. Want to know more? This article is posted throughout the Chicago-area Patch network…

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Dennis Robaugh

8:58 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2013

Comments on this article are now closed. Much appreciation to everyone who made interesting points on the flat tax vs. the progressive tax. And thank you, BUTCH, for sending the conversation down a path that ultimately led us to close the comments for everyone.   more ›

Mayor Claar's Ethics Called into Question

The Illinois Better Government Association questions the ability of the Bolingbrook mayor to also serve as liquor commissioner, specifically in an incident with Tailgater's.

Big Pension News? Only in Illinois

Watch a brief video rundown of recent action in Springfield that could have an impact on your tax bill and money for local schools.

What's happening in Springfield now regarding the state pension crisis will have a long-term impact on your tax bills and the money the state government can afford to send to local schools.  Teachers and bus drivers in the suburbs are getting layoff notices and schools are closing in the city of Chicago as the governor projects a cut of $300 million from the state education budget. This week, the Illinois House passed a bill that would trim cost-of-living payments for public retirees. The House previously passed a bill that raises the state employee retirement age incrementally. It's unlikely those measures will pass the Senate, leaving the pension crisis unresolved. Our friends at Reboot Illinois, a non-partisan news and advocacy website…

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Mayor Claar's Ethics Called into Question

The Illinois Better Government Association questions the ability of the Bolingbrook mayor to also serve as liquor commissioner, specifically in an incident with Tailgater's.

Should Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar accept campaign donations from a bar if he also serves as the village's liquor commissioner? That was the question recently posed by Illinois Better Government Association’s Andy Shaw in a column that appears on the watchdog website Reboot Illinois.  Nearly all Illinois mayors act as their town's liquor commissioner.  "It’s perfectly legal but sleazy, a blatant conflict of interest: Taking money from places you regulate," Shaw writes. "Unfortunately, some mayors don’t get it. They wonder why the Better Government Association is concerned." Shaw writes that Claar’s role as the town’s liquor commissioner came into question after the long-time mayor accepted campaign donations from sports bar Tailgater's …

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Patch on Politics

We're No. 1 — Illinois Has Nation's Worst Credit Rating

Despite 2011's 67 percent state income tax hike — which took a week's pay away from you — the state's financial problems have worsened.

Illinois now has the lowest credit rating of all 50 states. Standard & Poor’s rating services downgraded Illinois’ credit rating last week to A-, with a negative outlook.  State Treasurer Dan Rutherford, who blamed the negative rating on inaction on the public pension system by Gov. Pat Quinn and the General Assembly, said Illinois is headed for "fiscal disaster." He said the lower rating will force the state to fork over more money on interest payments. This will affect state universities, road construction and other public institutions because more will go to interest than principal as these projects are paid for. “If you went out to borrow $500 because you have such bad credit, it will cost $95 more in interest than better-rated states…

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