Rich Miller

Proposed real estate transfer tax increase would add thousands $$$$ to closing costs

Published by admin on Sun, 07/20/2025 - 11:49am

The Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois and the Regional Transportation Authority agree that a change to Illinois’ sales tax law will net the RTA an additional $150 million this year and another $225 million next year.
That money will drastically reduce the impact of the looming $770 million “fiscal cliff,” which begins in January.
The extra revenue was a result of the state expanding its sales tax to include more online purchases.

Illinois must act now before getting hit with $705 million a year in SNAP benefits

Published by admin on Sat, 07/12/2025 - 11:41am

The costs to Illinois’ government because of the new Republican congressional budget reconciliation law will be steep.
However, the state has some time to prepare itself, and possible Democratic gains in the US House and Senate next year might be able to reverse or mitigate some of the steepest cuts to food security and healthcare programs before the vast majority of them take effect after the 2026 elections.

Chicago mayor needs to tell it right

Published by admin on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 12:11pm

Last week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson repeatedly slammed Statehouse legislators.
“Some of the same individuals who claim to support an elected representative school board only got the gospel once I became mayor of Chicago,” Mayor Johnson told reporters during one of the most combative and counter-productive press conferences I have ever seen.
No.

Rauner staff changes may bring more deadlock

Published by admin on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 9:00am

 

After Gov. Bruce Rauner hired Illinois Policy Institute president Kristina Rasmussen's as his new chief of staff, I reached out to one of the House Republicans who voted to override the governor's budget and tax hike vetoes. How was he feeling?