Monday, April 1, 2013
A lawsuit supported in part by Chuck’s Gun Shop in south suburban Riverdale is not enough to get in the way of President Preckwinkle’s new $25 firearm sales tax.
Beginning April 1, a $25 tax will be added to the purchase of all firearms sold in Cook County. The news comes in spite of a lawsuit filed by several Chicago-area gun dealers, including Chuck’s Gun Shop in Riverdale. The new tax is part of a policy instated by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to help fund the Cook County Health and Hospitals System. At their flagship, Stroger Hospital, more than 30 percent of the trauma center patients are gunshot victims, each costing roughly $50,000 to treat, according to Preckinkle. The $600,000 expected annual revenue from the tax will ideally help offset those costs, reports Sun-Times Media. "This new policy will help us provide more resources to our vital public health system, which on a daily …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
County President Toni Preckwinkle is asking 1,500 inmates be transferred to home-monitoring, to prevent an overcrowding crisis, ABC7 reports.
Cook County Jail is nearly full to bursting. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is asking the detention center to reduce its 10,000+ population by 1,500 because there is not enough money to pay for them, ABC7 reports. At its current rate of admissions, the prison is poised to exceed its 10,150-prisoner capacity "within days." "The population I had today is what I'd normally have at the worst time of the year," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart told ABC7. "You can't sustain that. My overtime budget is exploding right now, absolutely exploding. I'm already close to going through what I was supposed to do for the whole year." To prevent overcrowding, Preckwinkle proposes that by mid-summer, 1,500 prisoners be transferred to home …
Sunday, March 3, 2013
The county hopes to help smokers quit the habit and raise more money with this recent tax hike.
Cook County smokers will have to shell out more than ever after last Friday’s $1 cigarette tax hike. This comes on top of an additional $1 jump on the state level last June. The county is hoping to receive an extra $25.6 million from the increase, but historic examples suggest the figure might be wishful thinking, according to the Chicago Tribune. In additional to the estimated revenue, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle hopes the initiative will deter youths from smoking and help current smokers kick the habit. Get the rest of the story by the Chicago Tribune.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The state might take a crippling hit if congress does not act before Friday.
Deep, nationwide cuts are geared to take place March 1. They're the first of a decade-long $1.2 trillon budget cut plan poised to go into effect unless Congress can compromise on a deficit-reduction plan. Here’s what Illinois stands to lose, according to the White House:
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
It's about eight days later than usual, but tax season officially opens today, Jan. 30.
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Wednesday, January 30
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns today, Jan. 30, 2013. Most taxpayers should be able to file now, though some revised forms may not be immediately available. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15, 2013. Those who are used to filing as early as possible may have noticed this year's tax season is opening up about eight days later than usual. You can blame the delay on the federal "fiscal cliff" crisis and the new tax bill Congress passed just after Dec. 31. You can find more information in this Forbes article. Electronic filing season was originally set to start on Jan. 22 this year. And if you're considering which way to file, electronic trumps paper, an H&R Block official told Financial Advisor. The IRS will not process …
Saturday, January 19, 2013
The Cook County Assessor's Office recently mailed a reminder to county senior citizens to file for 2012 property tax breaks. Forms must be completed and mailed to the Assessor's Office by Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Friday, January 18, 2013
The Cook County Assessor's Office recently mailed a reminder to county senior citizens to file for 2012 property tax breaks. Forms must be completed and mailed to the Assessor's Office by Wednesday, Feb. 6.
By Jeff Graveline Senior citizens in Cook County eligible for property tax exemptions have until Wednesday, Feb. 6, to file the proper paperwork to receive their tax break, according to a mailing sent out by the Cook County Assessor's Office. Residents over the age of 65 should have received the mailing in early January, but residents who just turned 65 may not have gotten them yet, according to an email from the office. “Taxpayers who recently turned 65 will not receive application forms when the senior renewal forms are mailed,” Orland Park Assessor Richard E. Kelly said. “I encourage such individuals to call my office to obtain the forms and information necessary to receive the senior benefits." Kelly said the forms are also available …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
A letter to the politicians in Illinois who want to solve the State's financial woes on the backs of the Middle Class.
Friday, January 11, 2013
This week, Chris and Ryan talk about one of the biggest drug busts in Chicago Heights' history and the changes to Homewood's tax financing programs.
Please feel free to leave feedback comments below and, as always, thanks for listening!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Spending caps and increased scrutiny of applications are just some of the changes.
Article updated at 2 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2013 The Village of Homewood voted to revise the currently offered TIF incentive programs during the Jan. 8 board meeting. Community Development Director Paula Wallrich says several reasons called for the revisions. Declining property values have resulted in a lower-than-expected TIF fund balance. Wallrich also said some long-time businesses in town are requesting more help as part of a developing business retention program. “We also wanted to make sure that we were doing everything we could to secure and protect the village’s investment,” Wallrich said. Homewood has three main TIF programs: Façade and Property Improvement, Retail Enhancement and Go Green. Formerly, only the Retail Enhancement program …
Michael Nardoni
4:11 am on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Cook County resident gun buyers can and most will go to near by Counties such as Will, Dupage, Grundy etc, to avoid this $25.00 tax. So in the end Cook County will lose along with Cook County gun shop owners. more ›