Matt Paprocki
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Pritzker’s record-high budget: More spending, more taxesJun 07, 2025 12:57 pm - As a business leader, would you approve in under 24 hours a 3,400-page annual plan you had just read for the first time? What if the provisions changed two hours before the deadline? Probably not. Yet that’s exactly how Illinois lawmakers approach the end of every legislative session when passing the state budget.
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Illinoisans are sick of new taxes; reject payroll taxMay 09, 2025 11:37 am - As new tariffs threaten to push up prices, Illinois’ punishing tax climate already is stretching many residents’ and businesses’ budgets.
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Cook County’s tax system is driving businesses, residents awayApr 12, 2025 1:45 pm - To the surprise of no one, Cook County property taxes went up again.
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Pritzker’s budget sleight of hand ignores Illinois’ fiscal problemsMar 15, 2025 1:01 pm - While Gov. JB Pritzker points fingers at Washington, D.C., as the source of Illinois’ problems, his budgeting tells a different story, says Matt Paprocki, president/CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Illinois leaders: Stop pushing for big government, start helping small businessesFeb 15, 2025 1:17 pm - Having access to meaningful work is one of the most important factors for families deciding where to plant roots. But since the onset of the pandemic, it’s been increasingly hard to find work in Illinois.
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Votes on 3 long-neglected state issues can help Illinois businessesJan 19, 2025 5:26 am - On April 1, nine suburban townships will ask their community of voters about three pressing issues affecting Illinois and its business environment. Advisory questions in...
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2024’s highs, lows for Illinois businesses; getting more highs in 2025Dec 22, 2024 6:04 am - In 2025, Illinois lawmakers must prioritize improving the business environment to foster growth and stability. Anything else will hurt our job creators, which hurts us all.
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Why occupational licensing reform can boost Illinois businessNov 24, 2024 6:00 am - In Illinois, nearly 1 in 4 workers requires an occupational license to perform more than 100 different professions. With one of the most restrictive licensing systems in the country, Illinois has lost 135,000 jobs and $15 billion in economic activity.
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How ‘millionaire’s tax’ ballot question hides a business tax hikeOct 20, 2024 6:02 am - The proposed tax promises property tax relief by hitting millionaires. But “millionaires” in Illinois more often than not are entrepreneurs, S-corps, partnerships, LLCs, farmers and sole proprietors.
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Suburbs shouldn’t impose their own grocery taxesSep 29, 2024 5:13 am - Gov. JB Pritzker attempted some political theater this spring when he and the General Assembly eliminated the statewide grocery tax. It was a hollow victory for taxpayers.