Patch on Politics

County Wants to Tax Vice, Bad Habit and Weaponry

Video gambling, cigarettes, guns and ammo would be taxed under Cook County's new budget plan. Golf and picnic permits at the Forest Preserve would cost more, too.

Targeting smokers, gun owners and gamblers, a slew of new and unusual taxes and fees designed to raise $43 million are proposed for Cook County's $2.95 billion 2013 budget. Board President Tony Preckwinkle released her spending plan Thursday, saying $50 million in spending cuts are planned, too, and 462 open county jobs would be eliminated. But public attention will focus on the taxes: The proposed budget avoids a property tax hike. Nine of 17 commissioners need to vote for Preckwinkle's budget for it to pass. The county projects $25 million would be raised via the cigarette tax. Today, the total federal, state and local tax levied on a pack of cigarettes is $4.67 in Chicago and $3.99 in the Cook County suburbs.  The tax on guns and ammo…

•  86 Comments
• Photos (1)

BUTCH

10:10 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012

Remember HARRY TRUMAN he said" when the GOP stops lying about me I will stop telling the truth about them" It has been my daily chore to follow these words of wisdom! problem is they can't shut up!   more ›

Illinois Income Tax Hike Will Be Permanent Without Deeper Cuts, Warns Sen. Christine Radogno {Video}

The south suburban senator and GOP leader says Republicans will present cuts this week that should allow the governor's income-tax hike to eventually recede.

Republican leaders will present a package of cuts this week designed to erase the $5 billion-dollar hole in the state budget and prevent a $22 billion-dollar deficit by 2016. Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), who represents a swath of southwest suburbs, said the governor's budget plan will also force the 67 percent tax hike to become a permanent one. She said the Republican cuts will be presented this week. The governor's office expressed doubt the GOP could find that much to cut. Our friends at Illinois Statehouse News covered Radogno's March 10 press conference.

•  7 Comments
• Videos (1)

JMH

9:49 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011

I am so sick of the war on labor. You are so wrong, Mr. Keith. Why don't you do some history reading and see that the American people have fought hard to achieve the American Dream, which includes pensions, yes, pensions. Did you ever read about the Haymarket Riots? DO NOT CRITICIZE PENSIONS. They are the foundation of the workers in this country. Go ahead, ask any older person on a pension. They…   more ›

Southland Stories

Are Some Students Too Hot for Teacher?

Felony sex ed at two local high schools. Is it OK to Taser a guy with one leg? The world's tallest chef stands in the Southland. And by the way, your taxes might go up! Patch helps you stay in touch with the week's best reads.

It’s not easy keeping up with the news. It comes at you fast and if you’re busy, you’re gonna miss something. Every Monday, however, Good Read will keep you in the know with the Southland’s must-read stories, and then some. This week features a chat-worthy mix of sex, booze and Tasers, courage, fine cuisine, still more courage, cowardice, cremation and taxes. In Flagrante Delicto: The big talk of the week involved sad and creepy stories of teachers taking a shine to students in an unlawful way. Class dismissed, indeed. And we've got equal-opportunity offenders, no less: A male teacher at Bremen High School and a female teacher and coach at Plainfield North. Ashley Blumenshine, 27, was caught by police in her car in a Kohl’s parking lot in …

• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)