So far I am sticking with my resolutions 4 days in.

The problem with businesses in Illinois has everything to do with taxes. Yes, reducing sales tax does help the end user, yet we cannot forget that a product of retention for any firm will be property tax.

While reducing the sales tax rate does offers relief, it is not enough. Far to many businesses have been taxed out of Cook County and Illinois simply because it is not profitable for them after paying property tax.

A true solution in retaining businesses will always revolve around property tax and industry regulation.

I think this is going to be a wonderful year.

Happy New Year South Suburbs!!

Awesome insight, Art. Property taxes seem to be a killer for businesses and residents alike, particularly in Cook County.

Absolutely, higher taxes are never the answer, it causes prices to go up, and less money for people to spend to boost the economy. I think we as a country have learned that letting the government manage our money is not a good idea.

I agree Mick however "we" as a country voted for more of the same in the last election... people don't want change, they vote for a cause not a leader. I love Homewood but as soon as I can sell my home I'm moving out of state.

1n the years to come cook county will be a ghost town people are moving out due to
due to very high tax,s on businesses and even if you buy car you have to pay a cook county tax . what they do not under stand that the working people of this county are the back bone. of the county, and they just keep chasing people out . of the state. thank ,s gov. quinn and perpwinkle.what will they have when every body moves,an other detroit.

THE Hts-HW-CHGO-DET-CAMDEN NJ Jax Fl they are all rotting away while the Mall cities are seemingly flourishing as the cheap shoddy shite goes flying off the shelf's,and the peoples corrupt pol's negotiate with he Plutocrats on the amount of new welfare the poor will give them in the form of tax breaks,new loopholes and outright subsidies and then allows them to now salt it all away in the Cayman islands with out more embarrassing disclosures, it is not totally the fault of Quinn and Toni but we have no choice on our poison we are headed for the new world order faster than the they THOUGHT the OXY and WET became the drug of choice or what every wannabe strives to be look at the killing fields why are the best and brightest always a 1 in 5 target random yeah!

Butch i didnt understand a thing you said. But it is true, cook county is losing residents by the thousands every year, hopefully one day they will revenue is not made by raising taxes, it is made by buisnesses selling products to consumers, and as long as taxes are high we will continue to lose residents and buisnesses to northwest indiana, because they know what it takes to produce revenue. They are even sending tax rebate checks to residents because there budget is in surplus.

Butch i didnt understand a thing you said. But it is true, cook county is losing residents by the thousands every year, hopefully one day they will realize revenue is not made by raising taxes, it is made by buisnesses selling products to consumers, and as long as taxes are high we will continue to lose residents and buisnesses to northwest indiana, because they know what it takes to produce revenue. They are even sending tax rebate checks to residents because there budget is in surplus.

Mick the welfare Queens are the BIG STORES, OIL CORP and DEF CONTRACTORS along with PHARMACEUTICALS,insurance ETC THE 1% IS THAT PLAIN ENOUGH THEY PAY NADA if u pay taxes it goes to them in a refund. Biden and McConnell just agreed to let it go on, taxes are high because it is cheaper to give them LINK than 25 cal or AR 15 and pay their emergency room visits as long as the hospital and insurance do not have to pay THE TAXPAYERS PAY MORE THAN ONCE more welfare for the 1%. U should have paid attn in economics 101, NW IND is the Template for the new world order once more it can do what it does because Illinois will pick up the slack they don't know what it takes they do not have MADIGAN they have MURDOCH!

If you want to fix something --- start with human behavior --- why do people move to places? "I got a great deal on a home" -- "The schools are top notch" -- "The taxes are very reasonable" -- "I feel its a safe place to live" -- and finally "I just love the community" -- Start with listening to those comments and you will end up with a great place to live!

JP that is the most correct and intuitive answer yet!

Ok -- also --- since i'm on a behavior rant --- in our own area as well nationwide -- we have kids 17 years old that were never and i mean never told "Do not hurt" or "Steal" - they know they may get caught but -- after 17 years of their life -- they are ignorant to understanding "Its wrong" --- from their parents, to their teachers, to their faith leaders -- no one is telling them "Do Not Hurt or Steal -- its Wrong"! In their mind its all a game not to get caught -- We need to be bold and forceful in our words constantly -- Do Not Hurt Any Living Thing or Steal Someone Else's Possessions