Written By Ann Carrns, THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 18, 2020 “Will mortgage rates remain low?” Probably, for the time being. It’s a question many homeowners, and potential homebuyers, are asking. But with uncertainty rampant, thanks to turbulent financial markets and the spreading coronavirus, it’s hard to say for sure just how long they’ll Read More …
Author: Shelly Rothstein
It’s Time to Do the Things You Keep Putting Off. Here’s How
If you’re lucky enough to have a job that lets you shelter in place while you work, here are some ways to stay productive in your downtime. Written By, Lauren Goode, Wired, Apple News, 3.25.20 So you’re stuck at home. Let’s assume, for a brief moment of Best Case Scenario, that’s the worst of Read More …
Illinois is the least tax-friendly state, especially for homeowners, report says
Property taxes in Chicago really add up Written By, Curbed Chicago, Chicago Real Estate Reports – Sara Freund, January 24, 2020 Illinois is the least tax-friendly state in the country, according to a Kiplinger report, especially for homeowners. Plus, new assessments led to big changes for some homeowners—as much as 11 percent increases in property tax Read More …
More than corn in Indiana? Illinois needs to stop driving residents next door
Written by Chicago Sun Times Contributor, Orphe Divounguy, chief economist for the Illinois Policy Institute, February 13, 2020 Chicago and Illinois can’t tax their way out of this crisis. The only way property taxes can go down is for lawmakers to get the state’s biggest expense — public pensions — under control. “There’s Read More …
2020 Senior Freeze Information
Lake County Illinois, March 3, 2020 Limited Income Seniors Are Encouraged to Apply for the Senior Freeze Exemption, Which Can Help Lower Property Tax Bills Property owners age 65 and older who have total household incomes of $65,000 or less are encouraged to apply for the Senior Citizen’s Assessment Freeze. This program may reduce property Read More …
Lake County home values hurt most by 2017 tax law
Among about 3,100 U.S. counties, Lake ranks fifth in the damage done to future home values as a result of the cap on property tax deductions enacted two years ago. Written By, Dennis Rodkin – Crain’s Chicago Business – 10/30/19 Home values in Lake County are among those hurt the most by the Read More …
Despite passing a record income tax hike in 2017, Illinois’ pension health remains the nation’s worst, according to one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies.
Written by, Adam Schuster, Director of Budget & Tax Research – Illinois Policy Institute, 9/24/19 Despite passing a record income tax hike in 2017, Illinois’ pension health remains the nation’s worst, according to one of the world’s leading credit rating agencies. A new report from Moody’s Investors Service shows in fiscal year 2018, Illinois’ unfunded pension Read More …
Blue Assessment Notices Arriving, Finally!
By Lake County Appeal – 9/23/19 After a long summer of waiting for the Lake County Assessor to publish the 2019 property assessments, we have begun to see rapid movement. We are expecting property assessments in all 18 Lake County townships to be released by October 17. Lake County Appeal (LCA) is ready to Read More …
Home is where the hurt is: How property taxes are crushing Illinois’ middle class.
Written By, by Austin Berg, Director of Content Strategy – Illinois Policy Joel Schurtz lived all across the U.S. before coming to Illinois. He took promising job opportunities where he could find them, from California to Alabama. His wife, Michelle, and their three young children would follow. “Our family always had a plan,” Read More …
Administrative Bloat.
Written by, Adam Schuster, Director of Budget & Tax Research – Illinois Policy Illinois spends the most in the Midwest per student on education. But instead of going to classrooms, a big chunk of that money props up bloated education bureaucracy. Over 9,000 school administrators earned more than $100,000 per year, and they’ll Read More …