Midwest
Wisconsin Gov. Evers signs off on massive child tax credit expansion
- Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed into law Monday a Republican-authored bill drastically expanding the state’s childcare tax credit.
- The new law expands the Badger State’s childcare tax credit to 100% of a claimant’s federal credit.
- Evers greenlit the doubling of the state’s previous limit because “the cost of child care is too darn high,” according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers signed a Republican-authored bill Monday that dramatically expands the state child care tax credit, days after vetoing three other GOP bills that would have delivered $800 million in tax cuts.
The governor posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he signed the child care measure because “the cost of child care is too darn high.”
The median child care cost last year in Milwaukee County, the state’s most populous county, was $19,096, equivalent to about 26% of the median family income of $62,314, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The cost last year in Dane County, the state’s second-most populous county, was $19,586, equivalent to about 17.6% of the $94,813 median family income.
WISCONSIN GOV. EVERS SIGNS DEER HUNT LICENSE PRICE HIKE INTO LAW
The bill expands the state child care tax credit to 100% of the claimants’ federal child care tax credit. Currently filers can claim only 50% of the federal credit on state taxes. The amount of maximum eligible expenses under the state credit would grow from $3,000 to $10,000 for one qualifying dependent and from $6,000 to $20,000 for two or more dependents.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 23, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The move is expected to cost the state about $73 million in annual revenue, according to the state Department of Revenue.
The measure was part of a package of tax cuts Republicans introduced in January. The legislation included the child care tax credit expansion; a bill that would have expanded the state’s second income tax bracket to cover higher earners, resulting in at least $750 million in income tax savings annually, according to legislative fiscal analysts; a bill that would have increased the marriage tax credit; and a bill that would have increased income exemptions for retirees.
Fiscal analysts projected that taken together the four bills reduced state tax revenue by $2 billion in 2024-25 and about $1.4 billion every year thereafter.
Evers vetoed all the bills except the child care tax credit expansion on Friday, saying the cuts would drain the state’s reserves.
Evers vetoed a similar GOP tax cut plan in November. Republicans lumped all the proposals into a sweeping omnibus bill during that go-around. This time they broke the plans into separate legislation.
The governor also used his partial veto powers in July to reduce a $3.5 billion income tax cut plan the GOP included in the state budget to just $175 million, which equated to a $3- per-month reduction for the average taxpayer.
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — A big step for the Bears, but there’s still a long way to go for the team to commit to staying in Illinois.
The Illinois House passed a bill last night that could give tax breaks on a new stadium.
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With the Illinois House passed the so-called “mega-project” bill – now on its way to the Senate, most people ABC7 spoke with Thursday in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Chicago Bears will get to remain the pride and joy of Illinois.
“We’ve been working on this for a few years and this is the first sign that we’re going to get to a finish line here in Arlington Heights,” Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington said. “I think there’s a growing sense of optimism that there’s something that will be built.”
A lot of excitement in Arlington Heights following the passing of the “mega-project” bill.
“Definitely a step in the right direction,” Cheryl Kolasa, who lives in Arlington Heights, said. “We have been waiting for this and going to all kind of meetings and hopefully it’s coming.”
People who live in Arlington Heights said they hope this means the Bears are one step closer toward moving to their village.
“You will not be able to get a ticket to the Bears game if they come to Arlington Heights for years because the support will be so phenomenal,” Gary Aspelian, who lives in Arlington Heights, said.
Still, the team said there’s more work to be done as far as infrastructure funding, saying in a statement, “We welcome the progress made on the House’s version of the mega project bill; however, additional amendments are necessary to make the Arlington Heights site feasible for our stadium project,”
Ernie Rose with Touchdown Arlington, said “All we’ve asked all along is to get an infrastructure in place that allows our residents, through our village board, to negotiate between the Bears. And this Bill provides us the framework for that.”
The Bears have owned the former home of the Arlington Race Track for more than three years now with plans to build a multibillion dollar stadium.
Under the mega-project bill, the Bears wouldn’t have to pay traditional property taxes.
Instead, they’d work out a deal with local leaders to make what’s called a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT.
Then, by law, about half of that money would go back into property tax relief for homeowners.
“The only thing that would kind of be up in the air for me is the commute that affects my drive,” Bianca Garcia, who works in Arlington Heights, said. “I know some people are really excited so I’m like it would be really cool, the train is right there, and it’s hard getting in from Soldier Field.”
“Many, many residents are OK with it,” Kolasa said. “They’re on board with it. We’re excited. Some people you’re never gonna make them happy. They were like oh the traffic and the taxes and all that. I feel it’s only going to make it even better. Just bring people and money to the area.”
Governor JB Pritzker’s Office said this marks an important first step, saying, “Governor Pritzker has been clear and consistent for years that the Bears should remain in Illinois, and that any legislation needs to protect taxpayers.”
Arlington Heights released a statement saying they are encouraged and will continue working with the Bears and state legislators.
“I’m truly encouraged by yesterday’s progress and optimistic that we can maintain this momentum as the Bill moves through the legislative approval process,” said Mayor Jim Tinaglia. “Our belief that this property offers immense potential for the Chicago Bears, the region, and the State of Illinois, has never wavered. Now that the Bill passed the House, we’re one step closer to working towards a world class site concept that is a win for our community, the team, and the region as a whole.”
If Illinois lawmakers can’t come up with a deal the Bears like, Indiana lawmakers already passed their own legislation to entice the team across state lines, as well, which is still very much in play.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Thousands of firefighters from around the world are in downtown Indianapolis for one of the world’s largest fire and rescue training events.
The 99th Fire Department Instructors Conference started Monday and runs through Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.
This is the 32nd year the FDIC has been held in the Circle City, and over 38,000 firefighters are in town for the event.
The conference includes hands-on fire and EMS training scenarios, classroom sessions, workshops, guest speakers, and 900 exhibitors.
“We’re uniquely positioned where we do 138 hands-on training sessions. That means the students get on the buses, they go out to fire academies, they go out to structures through our network of 350+ instructors,” Chief David Rhodes, editor-in-chief of “Fire Engineering,” told News 8.
Rhodes says conventions like FDIC help take firefighters to the next level in training situations.
“They not only get to learn to do it, but they get to do it. Whether it’s going into a fire, whether it’s searching a building, or cutting someone out of a car.”
Click here to learn more about FDIC International.
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