Forging company expected to bring 240 jobs to Merrillville [IN] location

nwitimes.com

By Matt Saltanovitz matt.saltanovitz@nwi.com

August 22, 2011

MERRILLVILLE | Gov. Mitch Daniels is expected to join executives from the Blue Island, Ill.-based company Modern Drop Forge on Tuesday to announce the company will be moving a major operation to Merrillville, resulting in about 240 new jobs.

On Monday afternoon, Merrillville Town Councilman Richard Hardaway confirmed that Modern Drop Forge will be coming to Merrillville, following the Town Council’s passage of a 10-year tax abatement for the company in May.

Hopefully this will result in a significant economic boost for Merrillville,” Hardaway said. “We’ve been looking for some time for some type of home run. But up until now we’ve only had nibbles.”

He credited a team effort by elected and other town officials for attracting the company to Merrillville.

....The Republican governor has said he expects more Illinois companies will come to Indiana without IEDC assistance because they are attracted by the state’s minimal government regulation on business and lower taxes.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/article_ca97a596-5735-55b0-817d-96a688797769.html#ixzz1VrCj5tXd

RTA sues over tax-avoidance efforts
August 23, 2011
Associated Press via Bloomberg Businessweek

The Regional Transportation Authority and city of Chicago filed lawsuits Tuesday against two northeastern Illinois communities, alleging the entities are owed millions in lost revenue because the towns engage in tax-incentive programs that divert sales tax revenues.

The lawsuits against Kankakee and Channahon came after the Chicago Tribune reported that dozens of businesses in the Chicago area are moving purchases through satellite locations in outlying towns to gain a sales-tax advantage over their competitors.

Read more at Businessweek ...

Think about the irony of the statement by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel:  "I have to be the voice for the taxpayers and I will not tolerate this."

Chicago School board weighs property taxes, longer day
By Jason Knowles
August 24, 2011
ABC7News WLS

Most homeowners, of course, would not be happy with the idea of paying more in property taxes, but the school board is expected to pass that issue Wednesday in order to pay for a giant budget shortfall.

Also on the agenda is the idea of a longer school day. Chicago Public Schools officials want students in class longer, including an extra 90 minutes in school each day and two additional weeks to the school year.

Read the story ...

Mayor Rahm Emanuel just drips with irony, doesn't he?  He said he opposes the tax increase, but supports the school board: "I have no tolerance for an overblown bureaucracy, and I have no tolerance for inefficiency."  "I also expect people to respect the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers, but ... "  

See Chicago Tribune article for more of his comments and how he previously opposed a tax increase.

Travel Tip: Avoiding Travel Taxes
August 23, 2011
PeterGreenberg.com

For example, if you travel to Chicago you could pay 80 percent more in taxes than if you traveled to Fort Lauderdale.

Read the article at PeterGreenberg.com ...

Will Chicago sue Fort Lauderdale next?