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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Survey: Small Businesses, Homeowners Pay High Price for Illinois Tax Policies

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Thursday, November 3, 2022   

As Illinois residents get ready to pay their taxes next year, they could be in for some sticker shock.

The 2023 State Business Tax Index survey, out this week, ranked Illinois 36th out of the 50 states for the efficiency and competitiveness of its tax code. The results showed while wage earners are doing well, small businesses, homeowners, and consumers are shouldering an outsized share of the state's tax burden.

Janelle Fritts, policy analyst for the Tax Foundation, said even though Illinois finished in the bottom third of the rankings, it could have been worse.

"Illinois' best category is the personal income tax, and that's because Illinois has a flat income tax with a relatively low rate of 4.95%," Fritts pointed out. "That is really what's bringing up the score from being even lower."

The annual survey, put out by the Washington D.C.-based Tax Foundation, ranks states based on how their tax policies affect the state's economy. Fritts explained governments need to earn revenue, but when taxes get too high, the economy is less competitive and can drive people to move to states with lower taxes.

Fritts added Illinois' other tax categories, including sales, corporate, and unemployment, are dragging down the state's rankings, but one particular levy is taking the biggest bite.

"Where Illinois really struggles is property taxes, which I'm sure will come as no surprise," Fritts contended. "Illinois has very, very large property-tax burdens in terms of how much they bring in and how big of a portion of personal income property taxes are."

Fritts noted the effectiveness of a state's tax system often determines the success of its economy.

"States' biggest competitors are each other," Fritts remarked. "As the economy is becoming increasingly mobile, tax competitiveness matters more than ever before. So people are looking at those tax codes. They do make a difference for both businesses and residences. So states do need to be aware of how they compare."

Neighboring states Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin were all ranked higher than Illinois. The top five in the survey were Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Florida and Montana. New Jersey came in last.


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