Why is this not more popular? I guess voters think it will be them who pays more. It'd be a great way for downstate to tax the higher cost of living Chicagoland more to pay for their stuff. Maybe they haven't thought of that. They already erroneously think they're paying for Chicago when it's exactly the opposite.

Stl PR - Despite budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot in Illinois

ttps://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issue ... t-illinois

quincunx wrote: ↑

10:45 PM - Jan 05

Why is this not more popular? I guess voters think it will be them who pays more. It'd be a great way for downstate to tax the higher cost of living Chicagoland more to pay for their stuff. Maybe they haven't thought of that. They already erroneously think they're paying for Chicago when it's exactly the opposite.

Stl PR - Despite budget pressure, graduated income tax remains political longshot in Illinois

ttps://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issue ... t-illinois

It's gotta be tougher as more states are moving towards lower income tax rates - all of Illinois' border state (except for WI) have lower individual tax rates.  I know Iowa just moved to a flat tax, which is regressive, but easy to digest and understand. 

Probably a sign that Dems shouldn't run on "tax the rich" given that this is unpopular even in Illinois. I sure wish people would catch on that sales and property taxes suck. You pay them whether you have income or not, while you only pay income taxes when you have income!

quincunx wrote: ↑

3:45 PM - Jan 06

Probably a sign that Dems shouldn't run on "tax the rich" given that this is unpopular even in Illinois. I sure wish people would catch on that sales and property taxes suck. You pay them whether you have income or not, while you only pay income taxes when you have income!

They shouldn't run on it, but they should do it

They should hike the income taxes, especially on those with higher incomes, and cut the sales tax. Then they need to properly use the tax money so people see the results of good policy, as seen with congestion pricing in NYC.

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Illinois enables STAR bonds. The Southwest Region (Metro East) will be allowed to have three projects. I think this will inspire good competition from Illinois in the region. Specifically, this could help them land a major cargo or industrial tenant at Mid-America Airport. 

https://www.stlpr.org/government-politi ... nd-program

How are they different from TIF? Do TIFs in IL not capture sales taxes?
Yes, they do.
https://dceo.illinois.gov/expandrelocat ... ncing.html

^ Star Bonds are a state sales tax subsidy while TIF generally involve local taxes.  Not sure about the Illinois program, but my understanding about the Kansas Star Bond program is that local governments can also grant TIF or other subsidies that can help pay off the bonds.... I believe the state is really encouraging the pertinent local jurisdictions to do so for the foolish Chiefs project. 

But TIFs, in MO at least, capture the state's sales taxes too, though 50% of them, so does the STAR bond capture 100% of the state's sales taxes?

^ I believe the Kansas Star Bonds program captures 100% of the increased sales taxes over the baseline, and for sales everywhere within the district regardless of whether it really is attributable to the bonded project. (For the Chiefs, I believe the district will encompass all of Wyandotte County and a portion of Johnson... insane.) 

TIF programs vary by state, but I think it's rare that state sales taxes are captured. Missouri does have a State Supplemental TIF that can capture 50% of either state sales or income taxes for eligible projects, but those have to be approved by MO DED and are relatively rare; most TIFs involve just local taxes.  (Ballpark Village iirc has a special state incentive that also captures 50% of both state sales and income taxes in addition to the local subsidy, but that program (MODESA) may no longer be available,)

Pritzker is preparing a number of major announcements on energy and housing. I’ll provide updates as I see them come in.

https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pr ... l-control/

Housing:

Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a statewide zoning law in his State of the State address on Wednesday, drastically limiting the authority local governments have to control what types of housing structures can be built on land that’s zoned residential.

Local zoning boards would no longer be allowed to prohibit property owners from building multi-unit housing on residential lots exceeding 2,500 square feet.

More straightforward, accessory dwelling units — attached or detached secondary residences such as granny flats, backyard cottages and above-garage apartments — would be legalized on all properties zoned for residential use

If local governments do not complete an inspection or review within a certain number of days, the applicant would be able to use a qualified third-party firm to do it. All state and local requirements would still apply.

On the capital side, $100 million would be set aside through an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development grant program for sewer, stormwater, utility and other site prep work. Pritzker officials said this infrastructure work is often difficult for developers to finance and often sinks projects before they even launch. It is modeled after a DCEO site readiness program for land eyed for industrial development.

Another $100 million through the Illinois Housing Development Authority is earmarked for middle housing development. The funds will be made available to private and nonprofit affordable housing developers.

And $50 million would be split between the existing Opening Doors program, which provides $6,000 loans for down payment and closing cost assistance to those who have historically faced institutional barriers to home ownership; and the SmartBuy program, which helps people overcome student loan debt barriers to home ownership. The programs have served 12,000 and 1,100 homebuyers, respectively, since 2020.

‘Yimby’ Has Arrived in Illinois, and Some Cities Don’t Like It
‘Yes in My Backyard’ bill backed by Gov. JB Pritzker aims to create affordable housing
https://archive.ph/20260515220417/https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/yimby-has-arrived-in-illinois-and-some-cities-dont-like-it-1d21f742#selection-553.0-557.86

The newest version of the Bears legislation would allow any municipality over 70,000 (current proposal) in Cook County to establish a stadium authority, publicly owned stadium, privately operated. It's being pushed by Chicago legislatures to get Chicago back in the race. Chicago legislatures have received evidence that Indiana would be better for the City of Chicago than Arlington Heights. 

In an alternate reality where NFL returns to St. Louis, I assume this could be adjusted to applicable for Metro East municipalities also.

I'd love to see a MetroLink extension to O'Fallon. There's already alignments with the interstate and abandoned CSX tracks. The Blue Line could branch off an go there instead of just ending.

What exactly do you think "more connectivity with St. Louis" means? Commuter buses? Or are they referring to what's already there with MCT and SCCTD?



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^^That's some interesting news. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

The bill changes the local match for downstate agencies from 35% to 20% so Illinois will be spending about $80M more on downstate agency reimbursements. This year, expect agencies will expand operating hours (more nights and weekends) of existing services. Next year, expect new routes serving rural St. Clair and Madison County. In years 3+, could see inter-city services from places like Effingham, Mt. Vernon, Carbondale.

It’s all very early so if there is a place you’d like to see inter-city bus services you should email that transit district and voice idea.