The state of Illinois will not get out of its budget hole without a significant income tax hike, according to a new report issued by the Civic Federation, a fiscal watchdog group.

After hours discussing the grand bargain budget behind closed doors, the state Senate goes home without voting. A look at how the deal is changing.

Senate leaders’ bipartisan salve to Illinois’ budget troubles is on tap for a vote in Springfield this week.

The conservative Illinois Policy Institute unveiled a plan Tuesday that promises to fill Illinois’ $7.1 billion budget hole, without any increase in taxes. 

Shopping trips may become additionally taxing for Chicagoans starting in February as the checkout bag tax is set to go into effect on the first of the month.

Starting Wednesday, customers will pay a 7-cent tax on each paper and plastic bag provided by stores to carry out items in all Chicago retail stores. 

Thousands have expressed interest in a march urging Donald Trump to release his tax returns. “We want to see your taxes, Mr. President,” said organizer Taran Brar.

Illinois residents would pay a personal income tax rate of 4.99 percent under the latest incarnation of a bipartisan proposal proffered by Senate leaders. 

Thousands of people moved out of the city and state over the past three years. Two former Illinois residents weigh in on their decisions, while another wrestles with the idea of packing his bags for good.

With a two-year decline in jail population, Cook County is demolishing some older jail buildings that once housed inmates.

The deadline for Chicago homeowners to apply for a property tax rebate has been extended to the end of the year, city officials announced Monday.    

The $8.2 billion spending plan doesn’t contain nearly as much pain for city taxpayers as last year’s budget, but grocery shopping could get a bit more expensive.

The ordinance passed by a slim 9-8 vote, with Board President Toni Preckwinkle casting the deciding vote.

A penny-per-ounce soda tax could be coming to Cook County. We talk with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about that and her 2017 budget goals.

Is the fiscal tide finally turning for Chicago? The mayor lays out the coming year's spending plan.

The debate over water and sewer taxes is over in Chicago: they are going to go up. But what do aldermen want to do about driverless cars in Chicago? The latest from Wednesday's meeting.