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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Ben VanMetre News


Illinois politicians propose $100 billion in tax hikes over five years

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetreMore than $100 billion in tax hikes over five years may sound like a joke. But to many Illinois lawmakers, it sounds like a solution.State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, recently said that “creative lawmakers can come up with many options for new revenue.” Unfortunately, Illinois lawmakers have outdone themselves in the creativity department this year.The array of six tax hikes proposed by Illinois


Are you ready to pay $5,000 in higher taxes?

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetre

Federal judge: Pensions not as protected as you think

By Ben VanMetre |
Contrary to popular belief, government-worker pensions are not untouchable, at least according to the federal courts.

The sad but true history of Illinois' credit rating

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetre


Illinois needs a real balanced budget requirement

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetre


No room in Illinois family budget for another tax hike

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetreIllinois politicians are nervous. They don’t yet have the votes to pass another tax hike, and they’ve done nothing to prepare a balanced budget under the actual 2015 income tax rates.Now they’ve resorted to guilting Illinoisans into paying higher taxes.We’re all familiar with these stories by now. Politicians have focused on narratives that show the sunset of the 2011 income tax hike putting

Quinn’s three-step plan to increase taxes

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetre



Illinois is drowning in pension debt

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetre



Illinois’ unfriendly business environment killing jobs, growth

By Ben VanMetre |
VanMetreA new Tax Foundation report reveals one of the reasons why Illinoisans are finding it so hard to get jobs – it’s getting more and more expensive for businesses to operate in Illinois.The Tax Foundation on Oct. 9 released its 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index, confirming the state’s worsening position. Illinois has dropped 15 spots to 31st from 16th since 2011 – the year the state passed