The Illinois Policy Institute announced that the Illinois General Assembly allocated $742,847 from the state budget to the Floating Museum through the Illinois Department of Human Services for operating expenses and prior years’ expenses.
According to the Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois’ 2026 state budget included $742,847 for the Floating Museum, an art collective. This funding was provided through a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services to cover operating expenses and prior years’ expenses. The grant description lacks detail regarding goals or expectations for taxpayer funds. This allocation is one of many items funded in a hurried budget process that limits public scrutiny and contributes to perceptions of inefficient spending management by state government.
In Chicago, an analysis by the Cook County Treasurer’s office shows that the median residential property tax bill increased by 16.7% to $4,457 for the current tax year. This marks the largest percentage jump in at least 30 years. Communities on Chicago’s South and West Sides experienced even steeper rises, with some neighborhoods seeing median bills nearly double due to assessment shifts and local government levies. These ongoing property tax increases occur while state funds support projects like the Floating Museum grant, illustrating challenges in efficient allocation of taxpayer resources amid rising local burdens.
Illinois Policy reports that residents pay the highest effective property tax rate in the nation at 1.83%, according to Tax Foundation data for 2023. This surpasses previous rankings and significantly exceeds the national average. On a median home value of $250,500, this results in an average annual payment of $4,584—more than double what many other states require. High local property taxes are connected to state-level spending decisions and mandates that drive inefficiency, as seen in allocations to non-essential projects while residents face sustained tax pressures.
The Illinois Policy Institute is established as a nonpartisan research organization focusing on promoting free-market principles, government efficiency, and lower taxes to enhance opportunity and prosperity for Illinois residents. It conducts analysis on state budgets, spending transparency, and fiscal policies to identify waste and recommend reforms such as improved oversight of grants and greater accountability in public expenditures. The organization advocates for taxpayers through data-driven reports and policy proposals.
