inflation

Cook County’s minimum wage increased from $15 to $15.40 on Wednesday, and the tipped minimum rose from $9 to $9.25. #minimumwages #centersquare #workers

Among the programs impacted is Link Match, which helped SNAP participants purchase fresh produce and other goods from local farmers by matching benefits spent at participating markets and retailers. #snap #democrats #trump

The price decrease for Illinois, however, month-over-month was roughly 80 cents – a larger shift than the 56-cents difference in the national average, according to AAA. #gas #prices #centersquare

The criticism comes after Trump reportedly stated, “I love the inflation,” during remarks from the Oval Office, a comment Democrats have seized on as they continue to attack the administration’s economic policies. #trump #democrats #inflation

While exports surged, domestic stocks of crude oil, gasoline, and diesel fell sharply. Before the war began in the Middle East, which closed the Strait of Hormuz to most ship traffic, global oil and motor fuels markets were awash in supply. #gas #prices #oil

“We impose a motor fuel tax across the state that was adjusted six years ago, seven years ago now, in 2019, but then we impose a sales tax on top of that motor fuel tax,” Spain said. #tax #gas

At 48 cents a gallon, Illinois has one of the highest gas tax in the country, trailing only California’s 70-cents a gallon. #taxes #gas #prices

Instead, families across Illinois are still being forced to pay for utility overspending, flawed planning, and corporate missteps they did not cause. #utilities #inflation

“With Donald Trump’s tariffs hyper-charging inflation and the costs of groceries, property taxes and everyday items on the rise, the last thing working-class and poor communities in Chicago, the Southland and Central Illinois need is another shock to their pocketbooks from utility costs,” Preston said in a statement. #consumer #energy

Preston argued that outside corporations, such as investment giant Blackstone, are worsening the housing crisis by manipulating the market, while federal tariff policies keep mortgage rates high despite the Fed’s cuts. #cuts