http://www.illinoispolicy.org The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonpartisan research organization dedicated to supporting free market principles and liberty-based public policy initiatives for a better Illinois. en-us http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4645 Suggested reading for the week of Jan. 30. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4659 Dan Proft's thoughts on Gov. Quinn's State of the State Address. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4660 If you just learned that your Medicaid program is going to be $21 billion in debt to doctors and hospitals within 5 years, what do you do? If you're Gov. Quinn, you rush to expand Medicaid even more. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4646 Gov. Quinn's State of the State Address will be on Feb. 1, 2012 at noon. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4654 Learn more about Digital Learning Day, a day to celebrate and promote new and innovative forms of learning. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4655 We need government to protect us from government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4657 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4653 Last year, the Institute warned about the dangers of unpaid Medicaid bills piling up after lawmakers enacted a budget pushing $2.4 billion of this year's bills into next year. Now, it's coming true. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4647 What Illinois can learn from Indiana, Oklahoma and Missouri about painting in bold colors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4650 More revenue isn't the answer to Illinois' overspending problem. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4652 It's time for honest answers about Illinois' record income tax hike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4630 Suggested reading for the week of Jan. 23. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4643 Juan Williams discusses the next battle gearing up in Wisconsin between Gov. Scott Walker and the public employee unions: a recall election. The reforms have saved taxpayers millions while allowing the legislature to expand school choice to students. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4644 On Feb. 2, join the Institute and K12 CEO Ron Packard for breakfast and a discussion of online learning programs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4637 The program has been seriously abused over the years by “lawmakers who bestowed full-ride scholarships on the children of their staffers, campaign donors, business associates, political cronies, even their own kids. It's been going on for decades.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4642 Michael Medved discusses the federal role in education and highlights his favorite reform slogan: "Let the money stay home!" http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4638 In this video clip, Juan Williams lays out the biggest problem facing the American education system and the best solution to ensure its reform: school choice. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4641 As the economy struggles, governments should be doing everything they can to get out of entrepreneurs’ way so they can start new businesses and create jobs. Unfortunately, many Illinois politicians are doing just the opposite. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4636 Online and digital learning programs reach millions of students who were at one time trapped in schools unable to serve their needs. Watch a video from the Pacific Research Institute http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4626 Conference call discussing National School Choice Week, an annual event where activists, communities and citizens from across the country get involved to promote the message of school choice. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4631 In a music video, children of all shapes and sizes march into a machine. The other end spews out masked robots, without any sense of individuality. Today, young voters face a similar future - “Another Cog in the Machine.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4633 National School Choice Week, a week of educating people and sponsoring events to encourage parental choice in education, began on Saturday in New Orleans. Learn more about what one activist called "the most important civil rights issue of our time." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4634 A new pension calculator allows individuals to see just how generous government employee pensions really are. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4618 Suggested reading for the week of Jan. 16. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4627 Noble Street Rauner College Prep is one of ten campuses of the Noble Street Network, a system of successful charter schools started in Chicago in 1999. Today, Institute staff visited the campus to learn about the school's culture and best practices. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4624 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4625 Why does Lisa Madigan think the federal government can force individuals to buy health insurance? Ironically, she argues that it’s necessary to fix the perverse incentives and unintended consequences of the rest of ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4619 On Friday, a judge in Indiana upheld the most expansive school choice program in the nation. This decision is a victory for all parents and students. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4620 This was originally sent to supporters on our email list that designated an interest in health care policy. To get updates like this as soon as they are available, click here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4610 Suggested reading for the week of January 13. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4617 Sen. Christine Radogno, Rep. Tom Cross and John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, held a press conference on the one year anniversary of Illinois' largest income tax hike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4612 Enough is enough! If you want to join the battle to turn around the State of Illinois then here's 7 ways to help repeal the 2011 income tax hike in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4611 The expense of retirement benefits is overwhelming many areas of the state budget. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4594 Suggested reading for the week of January 2. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4600 Tell us what one week of pay per year in additional taxes means to you and your family. What have you been forced to give up? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4603 Despite ObamaCare’s promise of affordable health insurance, new regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services will negatively impact the availability and affordability of high deductible health plans. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4605 A fresh start with the right priorities. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4595 Gov. Quinn and the unions are still bickering over money for state raises, but the contract had called for two raises at the start of 2012. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4596 I want to speak to you today about the rebirth of a nation: our nation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4589 Good things await liberty-inspired public policy in 2012! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4593 An original one-percenter. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4578 Suggested readings for the week of December 19. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4592 Holding government accountable http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4590 To help turn around the State of Illinois here are some things to do in the coming year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4591 Billions in unfunded pension liabilities? Skyrocketing unemployment? No problem. Let's focus on the real issues of the day -- like road kill and liquor on golf courses. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4585 Do you want lower or higher taxes on the middle class? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4586 Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., released Wastebook 2011, a report on wasteful government spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4587 Elgin has chosen to close its deficit by hitting its residents with more taxes. The Council may want to reconsider when they see the effect of bad policies on where people choose to live. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4582 Illinois is bleeding people to almost every state in the nation. People are packing up and voting with their feet. Gone – goodbye. When people leave, they don’t just take their belongings. They take their earnings and purchasing power. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4579 By throwing a big tax increase out and then later dealing out tax relief, legislators could eventually be seen as the good guys. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4580 Time to pull the plug on the FutureGen earmark. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4564 Suggested readings for the week of December 12. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4572 Illinois' flat tax is eroded. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4575 A blogger & Liberty Leader conference call on the Illinois Policy Institute's upcoming policy paper "Still leaving Illinois: An exodus of people and money". http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4569 What if the public servants in Springfield really are interested in correcting the error of their ways and undoing the economic damage done to Illinois by their tax increases? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4565 Let’s hope that the majority of legislators can have the backbone not only to stand behind their original legislation but also to pass comprehensive pension reform when they return to Springfield in the new year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4562 That means lawmakers are considering a more complex, more expensive solution than simply getting rid of the corporate tax increase that got Illinois into this crisis in the first place. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4552 Suggested reading for the week of December 5. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4561 $10 isn't much to write home about, especially when they're taking $1,500 away from you to begin with. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4557 Between 2000 and 2010, Illinois lost 434,100 jobs - more than almost any other state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4538 Suggested reading for the week of November 28. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4540 A tax relief giveaway was approved by a House committee today. The bill lacks relief for the average Illinois family, however. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4534 Suggested readings for the week of November 21. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4536 As we move toward Thanksgiving, Illinoisans may be hard pressed to find government actions that they are grateful for. Cook County just passed a budget that increased taxes and expanded taxable definitions on many products and tolls are set to spike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4522 Suggested reading for the week of November 14th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4532 Without detailed goals and good metrics, budgeting for results is difficult. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4533 You give the government $760 in higher taxes. They give you $1.25 back in "tax relief." Is that a fair deal? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4529 Despite rhetoric, budget reforms are saving Wisconsin taxpayers millions of dollars while keeping services in tact for students, parents, and teachers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4530 WSJ has opened a public opinion poll asking if businesses should be required to collect sales tax in states where they don’t have a physical presence. Respondents polled in favor of retaining current law by 46.2 percent. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4526 But they are not a done deal yet. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4521 The Supreme Court announced today that it would hear the constitutional challenges to ObamaCare brought by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4500 Suggested reading for the week of November 7th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4518 On Wednesday, Illinois House Democrats blocked a resolution seeking greater flexibility from the federal government in administering Illinois' Medicaid program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4511 Don't settle for less. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4512 Tax hikes are no game for Yasmin Curtis, a hard-working Chicago entrepreneur. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4513 Chicagoans already pay the highest spirits tax in the nation. In fact, taxes on spirits have been increased four times since 2005. Now Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wants to pile on yet another job-killing tax hike on distilled spirits. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4514 Helpful links to help you find out who your Cook County Board member is. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4515 Sound like a fair deal for government pensions? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4504 Nov. 8, 2011 – Today, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute was honored to accept a 2011 Templeton Freedom Award for Excellence in Promoting Liberty. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4505 Joel Kotkin, an author and futurist, recently spoke at the Institute on what Illinois might look like in 2050. One area he mentions is education policy, nothing that Chicago should look to the reforms of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4501 Join our friends at American Majority for Activist Training events in Schaumburg Nov. 10 and Frankfort Nov. 12. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4502 The next few years will be key for Illinois’ economic future. To spur job creation, Illinois needs to empower its private sector to encourage a vibrant job community that breeds opportunity and growth. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4487 Suggested reading for the week of October 31st http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4499 Listen in as Kristina speaks with David Ozgo of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States about how this plan could cost jobs in the hospitality industry. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4496 Noted futurist and author Joel Kotkin visited the Illinois Policy Institute Wednesday to discuss how Illinois can brighten its economic and social outlook. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4498 There is only one way out of the worldwide debt crisis, but so far Illinois’ political leaders do not seem to understand what that path is. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4492 With the 2012 elections just around the corner, we have asked every member of the General Assembly to sign the Repeal Pledge and commit to honest, sustainable, and accountable government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4493 U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Illinois Policy Institute on Oct. 19, 2011. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4494 Earlier today, Republican members of the Illinois House of Representatives filed a resolution in the General Assembly urging the federal Super Committee to recommend granting the state greater flexibility in administering its Medicaid program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4488 This letter was featured in the Fall 2011 edition of Compass, which arrived in mailboxes last week. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4489 Professor Richard Epstein dispels misconceptions about the free market, equality and taxes in an interview on PBS. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4490 A guest post from Village Trustee Peter Breen detailing his work for transparency in Lombard, Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4491 New polling data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that support for ObamaCare is at all-time low. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4486 When Occupy Wall Street does whither away, there are bound to be some activists looking for a political home who are against crony capitalism, who are against the out-of-control spending and debt – the same things the tea party rails against. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4477 Suggested reading for the week of October 24th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4482 Feature story from the Fall 2011 edition of Compass http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4483 Since becoming effective in July 2011, the affiliate nexus law has reduced the revenue stream of thousands of Illinois-based online marketing affiliates and sent good jobs across state lines. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4484 An interactive tool in Wisconsin shows how much money local governments are saving because of the reforms passed earlier this year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4470 Does your legislator's votes match their rhetoric? Join the Illinois Policy Institute for a Blogger and Liberty Leader Conference Call next Wednesday, October 26, to discuss our new 2011 Legislative Vote Card. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4462 Suggested reading for the week of October 17th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4475 We know ObamaCare is going to bust the budget and hurt the most vulnerable. But did you know it's going to make it harder for them to find work, too? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4476 In September, the unemployment rate increased to 10 percent as 10,500 more Illinoisans were added to the unemployment rolls. The month’s anemic job creation of 1,600 jobs amounts to 1 job for every 415 unemployed persons living in the state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4469 ObamaCare greatly expands Medicaid eligibility and increases participation. Medicaid enrollment in Illinois is expected to increase by 75.6 percent, to 4.5 million people, between 2011 to 2019. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4473 Get to know Joel Kotkin before his November 2nd Cocktail hour event where he will answer what's in store for Illinois, and what policies will best help us capitalize on our future? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4474 In September, 1,600 jobs were added to the Illinois economy. Unfortunately for the 663,300 unemployed Illinoisans, this barely makes a dent in the state’s joblessness. In fact, Illinois created one job for every 415 unemployed Illinoisans. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4465 Listen in as Kristina speaks with Adam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO of For the Good of Illinois, about OpenTheBooks.com – a new transparency database. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4463 U.S. Representatives caution the Illinois legislature to solve the state's pension crisis without relying on a federal bailout. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4449 Suggested reading for the week of October 10th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4460 After years of scrutiny, implementation of the controversial long-term care program has been halted. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4456 Highlights from Mayor Emanuel's budget proposal for the City of Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4455 Chasing away jobs, people, and income is not a winning strategy. Lawmakers must be bold. They can no longer enact failed public policies that leave quality jobs and quality people fleeing the state. Instead, they must repeal the tax hike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4452 Is it time to cut up that government credit card? Listen in as Kristina speaks with Demian Brady of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation about the spending agendas of Illinois's congressmen and women. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4450 If you owe, you should pay. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4451 Who is Quinn calling the naysayers and the complainers? The companies that are forced to relocate so they can compete, grow, and produce jobs? Or is he mocking the citizens that are terrified that their job is the next to get cut? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4439 Suggested reading for week of October 3rd http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4447 See you at Starbucks. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4448 Time to tell teachers the truth about pension reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4442 But we'll have a spiffy state capitol building! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4440 Buy my product, just don't use it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4441 Listen in as Kristina speaks with Terry Anderson of the Property and Environment Research Center about uniting the two movements through a "green" tea party. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4423 Suggested reading for the week of September 26 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4433 Entrepreneurs – a new generation of heroes – are overtaking men’s imagination. Crain’s Chicago Business recently reported that the newest role model men most readily identify with is the entrepreneur. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4434 If Illinois members of congress had their way, how much would government spending increase or decrease? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4426 The results from a local transparency audit in the Bloomington area. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4428 Hybrid cars for state employees, green roofs for landscaping companies, and solar panels for churches. Funded by you. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4429 With unemployment spiking 0.7 percentage points from a year earlier, Chicago-Joliet-Naperville experienced the largest unemployment rate increase in the country. Now the unemployment rate for this division stands at 10.4 percent. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4431 Earlier this week, Chicago's Inspector General released a "Budget Options" report with 63 ways for the city to cuts costs or raise revenue. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4425 The Institute's recent poll asked for your thoughts on the tax hike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4414 Suggested reading for the week of September 19th. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4421 As of last Friday, teachers at nine public schools in Chicago have voted to lengthen the school day by 90 minutes. Students will now receive more instruction time in the classroom. Teachers at these institutions are leading the charge for more reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4413 Instead of driving businesses out of Illinois, politicians should be embracing the pro-business policies of the survey’s top finishers. There’s no sense in re-inventing the wheel – let’s take a page from their job-creation playbook. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4416 Join Kristina as she speaks with David Williams of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance about the top five most ridiculous taxpayer tourist traps. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4417 Fairness. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4410 The U.S. Constitution is reinforced by America’s core principles. These principles - limited government and personal liberty - strengthen our democratic structure. Dedication to these principles has enabled the country to thrive for over two centuries. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4411 Gov. Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Daniels of Indiana will be speaking at this important conference hosted my the Manhattan Institute in New York. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4403 Suggested reading for the week of September 12. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4407 In 2009, the White House promised that unemployment wouldn’t rise above eight percent if Congress passed the “stimulus” package. Now, the White House wants an additional half trillion in spending. Illinoisans know better. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4406 Kristina speaks with Professor Brad Rodu about tobacco harm reduction and how policy changes can help lower smoking-related cancer deaths. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4334 The Village of Orland Park received a perfect score on a transparency audit the Institute conducted earlier this year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4390 Suggested reading for the week of September 6. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4399 Is President Obama's latest jobs plan the right answer for what ails America? Or is it liable to suffer from the same flaws that sunk his previous efforts? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4400 Do you think Obamacare should be repealed?  If you do, you're not alone. Public opposition to Obamacare remains as high as ever. The good news is that Obamacare has been challenged in federal court and is headed to the Supreme Court. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4401 It’s painfully obvious that last night’s speech means President Obama plans to keep America on the tax-now, cut-later path. Illinoisans know something about that. In response to exploding budget deficits, lawmakers spiked both taxes and spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4391 It’s not for the government to decide what you eat for lunch. Reforming Chicago’s vending laws will empower Illinoisans with choice and allow an exciting new industry to stimulate job growth. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4392 Looks like Wisconsin got things right... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4372 Suggested reading for the week of August 29. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4386 In her latest podcast, Kristina Rasmussen is joined by the Competitive Enterprise Institute's Vincent Vernuccio to discuss the outsized political influence of "Big Labor" in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4387 "The liberty movement lost a great friend when Ralf Seiffe died unexpectedly yesterday morning." - John Tillman http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4388 Quirks in the tax code. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4381 The Obama administration’s regulatory policy has gotten out of control: “the Obama administration has turned rule-making into an assault on American businesses and the jobs they create.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4384 A new 50 state study shows Illinois ranks second worst in policies that benefit big labor at taxpayers’ expense. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4380 In their eighth episode, Mark and Mike discuss a new law changing rules for "recurrent" FOIA requestors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4376 What you put in the hands of guests says a lot about you. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4373 Obama drastically increased government spending, bailed out “too big to fail” companies like General Motors, and wasted countless dollars on so-called shovel ready jobs. Many reported that these actions were unprecedented. Not so fast... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4375 Open up that wallet a little wider. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4363 Suggested reading for the week of August 22. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4370 The Roe Award pays tribute to those in the state public policy movement whose achievements have greatly advanced the free market philosophy. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4371 The Illinois Policy Institute’s CEO, John Tillman, received the prestigious Roe Award Thursday night at the State Policy Network’s annual meeting in Seattle. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4369 Illinois lost more jobs during the month of July than any other state in the nation, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report. After losing 7,200 jobs in June, Illinois lost an additional 24,900 non-farm payroll jobs in July. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4367 Governor Quinn raised taxes on hard working Illinoisans and their small businesses, only to hand much of that revenue over to large corporations in special deals. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4364 Is the tax hike costing Illinois its economic recovery? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4365 The Institute is working for transparency in Lyons Township. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4366 The city of Countryside and village of Riverside made the most dramatic improvements of 16 Lyons Township-area governments in the latest leg of the Illinois Policy Institute’s “Local Transparency Project." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4347 Suggested reading for the week of August 15. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4357 Last week Governor Quinn signed into law a bill that will allow you to get information on all the taxes you pay in one location. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4359 Faring worse than the national average, Illinois has the 42nd latest “Cost of Government Day” in the country, with its workers handing over a total of 229 days of work to the government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4360 On the same day President Obama is visiting Illinois, tax watchdogs have marked today as “Cost of Government Day” to highlight the rising price tag of government spending and regulation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4355 The Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty Podcast has a new format!  And Mike would love to explain what it is if Mark would stop interrupting him during his intro… http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4348 In violation of university policy, Chicago State students continued to receive education assistance despite failing to achieve minimum standards. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4349 "Special Comment" from Moody's affirms Institute's pension concerns highlighted in recent brief. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4344 Want to arm yourself with information that could help control your future property tax bills? Listen in as Kristina speaks with Josh Barro of the Manhattan Institute on how the growing costs of public sector health care benefits impact everyone. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4346 Today, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Obamacare's individual mandate as beyond the scope of federal power, finding that the law sought to expand Congressional authority beyond any judicially enforceable limitations. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4336 Suggested reading for the week of August 8. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4343 The village of Orland Park is the first government entity in the state to earn a perfect score in the Illinois Policy Institute’s “Local Transparency Project.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4339 If your family was in a financial crisis like this in which your household is drowning from thousands of dollars of red ink, would reducing spending by three dollars actually make a difference? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4323 Suggested reading for the week of August 1. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4335 The idea of raising taxes was a contentious roadblock during the debt ceiling negotiations. Even though taxes weren't raised, the prospect of increased taxes still exist. But all across Illinois, citizens are voicing their opinions against such a measure. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4333 Traffic congestion in Chicago is the worst in the entire country. Not only is this a detriment to commuters, it mitigates economic growth. Fortunately, free market principles can address these congestion problems. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4331 Brian Costin joins our fearless hosts in Episode 6 of “Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty” to discuss what you can do to get state back on track by promoting free markets in your own community. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4332 Rhode Island town files for bankruptcy. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4325 The City of Chicago aims to save $2.3 million by downsizing its traffic control aide program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4326 In the last quarter of 2010, government employees eared $4.66/hour in health benefits, compared to just $2.08/hour in the private sector. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4327 Kristina speaks with Joe Coletti of the State Policy Network about Illinois-based anti-fraud initiatives shot down by the Obama administration and the possibility of Medical Savings Accounts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4324 In a special video installment of "Daily Life," Kristina answers a hypothetical question during the Illinois Humanities Council's "UnCommon Good" event series: did a teacher who called in sick to protest Scott Walker do the right thing? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4320 Overspending has brought America to the brink of default, and how we dig ourselves out of this mess will affect each of us. Kristina speaks with Ryan Ellis of Americans for Tax Reform about how we move forward. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4322 Are the rich paying too much? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4308 Suggested reading for the week of July 25. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4317 Employees for some local governments can receive payouts for unused sick days at retirement. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4318 The Institute's John O'Hara commented on the debt ceiling negotiations for FOX Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4316 Property tax administration matters, especially if you're appealing your tax bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4312 Confused on how to talk to your kids about the debt ceiling debate? Rapper/comedian Remy explains the situation via a rap video. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4313 Governor Quinn signs the Health Savings Account bill into law. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4287 Suggested reading for July 18-22. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4304 State fair pays big bucks to pop stars before paying small business owners, even in the midst of economic uncertainty. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4300 Senior Director of Government Affairs Collin Hitt calls Gov. Quinn's signature of the Charter School Quality Act "an important moment in the history of education reform" in our state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4293 Orland Park strives to become the first municipality to receive a perfect score in the Illinois Policy Institute's Local Transparency Project. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4270 Suggested reading for the week of July 11. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4284 How much are you paying in cell phone taxes? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4285 Citizens in Bureau County ask for increased transparency and are using the Institute's ten point rubric as a guideline of what information should be made available. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4286 As part of a mechanism designed to promote donations to charities in Illinois, taxpayers are given the option to “check off” charitable contributions on their tax returns. The problem: their money is directed to state coffers, not charities. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4276 Are high prices at the pump getting you down? Kristina speaks with State Rep. Dwight Kay about how the government could take immediate action. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4280 Those who are committed to keeping a limited amount of government in their lives have rallied behind the protection of an everyday household item- the light bulb. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4272 Letters to the editor show that the government should address skyrocketing spending problems. Particularly, Illinois serves as a case study of what the US federal government should not do as they figure out how to handle the debt ceiling. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4273 Pension costs faced by local governments across the country will strangle taxpayers. Chicago residents should be extra alert to looming tax hikes needed to pay for unreformed pensions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4274 FatWallet moves its entire company from Illinois to Wisconsin in a matter of weeks as a result of a new Illinois Internet Tax law. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4271 The average duration of unemployment is at an all-time high of 39.9 weeks. This is nearly double the 20.1 weeks rate when the stimulus was first passed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4250 Suggested reading for the week of July 8. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4265 The minimum wage makes it harder for teenagers to find summer jobs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4268 No, but they cost the City of Chicago $10 million a year for simply "keeping the intersections clear." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4269 In the long run, stimulus isn't so stimulating. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4264 Since coming into office, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has made Chicago more transparent with databases that show salaries of city officials and lobbyist information. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4260 An Illinois Policy Institute Liberty Leader, Drew Veeneman, has developed a series called Political Mechanics to help candidates running for political office. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4249 Kristina speaks with Christie Herrera of the American Legislative Exchange Council to discuss alternatives to ObamaCare's heavy- handed approach to health care reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4253 The Illinois Policy Institute, is proud to join the Cut, Cap, Balance pledge coalition, which was organized to save America from fiscal ruin. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4258 Unionized workers were set to receive three rounds of pay hikes this year before Gov. Quinn rescinded the last round due to lack of funds; public wonders why Illinois continues to be broke. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4237 Suggested reading for July 1. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4244 Are sky-high workers' comp costs costing you a job? Join me as I speak with State Senator Kyle McCarter about how a recent reform package could make Illinois a more attractive place to do business, and what changes still need to be made. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4248 The fiscal year 2012 budget has been widely – and wrongly – portrayed as making severe cuts compared to fiscal year 2011. In reality, this budget represents a spending increase over last year’s $33.5 billion budget. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4238 In response to the verdicts in the Blagojevich trial, John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, called on government leaders to end the culture of corruption that has plagued Illinois for so many years. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4212 Suggested reading for June 24. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4234 Members of Congress are discussing another stimulus amidst deficit-reduction talks. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4235 Critics are beginning to question the degree of pragmatism behind Governor Quinn's corporate handouts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4236 In order for Illinois state and local pensions to achieve solvency in the next 30 years, a new study estimates government contributions would need to increase nearly $10 billion annually - that's $1,907 per household each year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4229 Legislators came and went from Springfield yesterday without making significant changes to the budget. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4226 Bringing transparency to Illinois's 8,500 government bodies http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4227 Take part in a poll on whether the tax hike will be temporary. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4228 Before the Illinois General Assembly began its spring session extension on June 22, the Illinois Policy Institute held a press conference in Springfield to present our latest report, "Budget FAIL: Plan Awaiting Gov. Quinn’s Signature Grows Spending, Debt. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4217 Illinois fell behind its five out of six neighbors in manufacturing ratings. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4224 A new Institute report, "Budget FAIL: Plan awaiting Gov. Quinn's signature grows spending, debt," outlines how the budget approved last month by lawmakers is higher than it appears to be. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4223 Should Governor Quinn be spending more tax dollars to study high-speed rail? Kristina talks with Cato Institute senior fellow and transportation expert Randal O'Toole. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4215 The Institute will release a new report, "Budget FAIL: Plan Awaiting Gov. Quinn's Signature Grows Spending, Debt" at a statehouse press conference Tuesday. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4216 The United State Senate's decision to repeal ethanol subsidies is a step in the right direction. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4191 Suggested reading for the week of June 17. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4206 A recent poll shows that a majority of likely voters do not want Congress to raise the debt ceiling. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4209 The preliminary unemployment numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning reveal Illinois's unemployment rate increased in May. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4210 Indiana has introduced a new program that rewards students for graduating from high school early. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4211 How about putting a corporate logo on your license plate for a discount? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4205 We caught up with Allen Skillicorn about what inspired him to run for office, what he plans to do in the future, and his advice to others who are looking to get involved and making a difference in their home community. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4204 Two great cartoons from Scott Stantis of the Chicago Tribune http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4207 In Episode 5 of "Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty," our intrepid hosts talk hockey (or not), unnecessary state spending, and - as always - illuminate how an injection of liberty into public policy can change our lives for the better. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4196 The city of Evanston has recorded the second highest transparency audit score ever, but Evanston Township scores the worst we’ve ever graded out of nearly 100 local government entities. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4197 YCCS Virtual: A glimmer of hope for Chicago's high school dropouts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4198 Will it take a "Berlin Wall" made up of government regulations to keep businesses from moving out of Illinois? Or would we be better served by making sure the "grass is greener on our side of the fence"? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4201 The greatest word in the English language is “liberty”. But the two greatest words in the English language are “game seven”. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4200 Taxpayer-funded state lobbying is on the rise in Illinois as local governments and organizations continue to spend at the expense of citizens across the state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4195 It's not every day that the Illinois Policy Institute and PETA see eye to eye -- or should I say, gill to gill? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4187 Now that the national housing prices are gradually dropping to their historic level, the government should refrain from meddling in the housing market. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4192 The state of school districts across Illinois has many citizens worried. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4166 Suggested reading for June 6. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4184 Worker's compensation reform is a step in the wrong direction. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4186 Illinois' tax hike continues to drive businesses out of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4189 A new study out by the Mercatus Center of George Mason University shows that Illinois ranks poorly when it comes to Freedom amongst the states. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4183 How much does Rahm Emanuel get paid? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4170 A little bit of hope for those looking to find work in Illinois http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4172 Rest in peace. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4173 In this podcast, Kristina speaks with Fran Eaton of Illinois Review to discuss how government interacts with moms and babies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4174 Gery Chico will step into the job of Chairman of the State Board of Education, a system in need of reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4175 Join the Illinois Policy Institute’s Kristina Rasmussen and Collin Hitt for a special conference call this Thursday at 7pm to recap the 2011 legislative session and go over what lies ahead. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4176 Over 363,100 jobs — an amount equivalent to Delaware's entire private work force — disappeared from Illinois between April 2001 and April 2011. Only Michigan and Ohio fared worse. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4167 Legislators try and stuff the Capital bill with general operations spending http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4168 Step One: Vote for the tax hike. Step Two: Get appointed. Step Three: Get paid $94,000 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4144 Suggested reading for the week of May 31. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4163 This isn't a vision. It's a boondoggle. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4164 Comparative Effectiveness Research will cost trillions of dollars as well as lives. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4165 Even with substantial progress being made from the part of legislators, transparency still remains a major issue for Liberty Leaders and elected officials. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4160 Government intervention and attempts to equalize housing produces shortages and misallocation of resources. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4158 Illinois is ready to give regular citizens big cash prizes if they come up with some fruitful ideas to save the state some bucks. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4159 Here are the highlights of the spring 2011 legislative session in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4145 Good changes to Illinois's schools could be coming soon. Find out what those changes are in this podcast featuring Jessica Handy, policy director of the Illinois chapter of Stand for Children. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4151 Pension reform is urgent or else the consequences could be dire. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4123 Incompetent fiscal decisions by the state government have forced taxpayers to make sacrifices as inaction on the state and local level continues. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4139 Will higher taxes on the rich fix our pension problem? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4140 Pension reform is needed if Illinois wants to recruit and keep talented workers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4142 Collin Hitt gives an update on S.B. 512 from just outside the Capitol Building on the afternoon of Friday, May 27. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4152 The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore discusses the pension reforms needed to turn our state around. He spoke as part of a panel during the "How Capitalism Will Save Us" Job Summit sponsored by the Family Taxpayers Foundation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4122 Suggested reading for the week of May 23. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4134 A vote for pension reform will brighten this state's future - a vote against it is an endorsement of our continued decline. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4135 Watch the Institute’s web-film on the issue. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4137 Marc Levine, Senior Fellow at Illinois Policy Institute discusses the pension reforms needed to turn our state around. He spoke as part of a panel during the "How Capitalism Will Save Us" Job Summit sponsored by the Family Taxpayers Foundation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4138 Based on our state’s poor track record of managing its pension system, a healthy skepticism of the current pension reform discussion is warranted, but the bill currently under consideration in Springfield is a very good bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4129 The state’s pension system demands more money than Illinois government can afford. Major tax hikes will be needed unless the benefit system for government employees is reformed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4130 The State of Illinois has spent $100,000 on two web-based kiosks that provide information to tourists. Was this taxpayer money spent responsibly? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4133 Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel needs to set the record straight for education reform. Chicago Public Schools cannot be reformed without making the process of firing tenured teachers easier and collecting more thorough teacher evaluations. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4124 What if you got a $42,000 credit card bill in the mail? Would you be taken aback? What if you learned that the total government debt liability for Illinois household stands at $42,000? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4125 In episode four of the "Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty" podcast the always funny, rarely wrong hosts take on the most pressing issue of the day: pensions! They welcome in Diana Rickert. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4127 The state agency in charge of processing workers' compensation claims, Central Management Services, has hired a law firm at taxpayer expense to appeal an order from the attorney general's office to complete a Freedom of Information Act request. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4120 Join the Illinois Policy Institute for a blogger conference call with Illinois State Rep. Darlene Senger to discuss how pension reform is needed to create a more stable financial future for the State of Illinois http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4097 Suggested daily reading for the week of May 16. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4113 Your tax dollars (not) at work. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4116 Illinois citizens understand mayhem will come if the pension crisis is not addressed, that's why they are writing letters to the editor and contacting their legislators. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4108 The required pension payment for Chicago city government and Chicago Public Schools will jump to $1.92 billion from $650 million between now and 2020. Current law will require local taxpayers to foot the bill. That’s a citywide per capita jump to $715 fro http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4109 New Schools for Chicago is working to provide every student in Chicago with an excellent education http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4110 The funding of Illinois’s Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) has become a major obstacle for future increases in state education spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4111 Dr. Mark G. Neerhof, a local physician and guest blogger, comments on RomneyCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4126 Poll results to be released the morning of May 25. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4103 Many of us enjoy internet shopping for its convenience. Less convenient are rules about how we pay taxes on our purchases. Listen in as Kristina talks with Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union on some burdensome and unfair internet taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4107 Steve Stanek, Managing Editor of Budget and Tax News of The Heartland Institute interviews John Tillman, CEO of Illinois Policy Institute. John addresses solutions to Illinois's unsustainable borrowing and pension system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4070 Important articles related to the debate over pension reform in Spring 2011. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4098 Charting the growth of Illinois's highest paid public employees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4102 Inauguration day carries a spirit of optimism. Changes are needed in Chicago, and we can all hope today is the day that those changes begin to take place. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4101 The great recession has punished Illinois citizens. Unrelenting unemployment, stagnant wages, declining home values and sagging investment portfolios have ravaged net worth. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4075 Suggested Reading for the Week of May 9 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4090 Senate Bill 7 passes the House of Representatives! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4091 John O'Hara appeared on ABC-7 Chicago Wednesday to discuss the moral hazard of state bribes and some other failed “investments” the state of Illinois has made in the name of job creation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4086 John Tillman, CEO of Illinois Policy Institute shares the key points of HB149 during a teletownhall on May 10, 2011. The number one question people have: will it take away benefits already earned? The answer is no. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4084 A January poll asked likely Illinois voters asked how the state should address its increasing pension payment. Sixty-four percent of respondents said that benefits for current public employees should be reformed to work within the state’s financial constr http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4081 Join us on a conference call today, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. about the ongoing debate over pension reform in Springfield. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4082 You may never ride it, but you sure will pay for it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4083 Citizens of Illinois to Springfield: "Balance your budget before you ban my donuts!" http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4077 CEO Magazine ranks Illinois 48th in business climate, down from 8th in 2006 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4078 Like we've been saying: Gov. Quinn’s budget shows a tacit intention of keeping tax rates high. His proposed spending levels are simply unsustainable unless lawmakers approve a permanent extension of the 2011 tax hikes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4079 Marc Levine, who has spent twenty years in the capital markets as an investment manager and also serves as the Institute’s senior fellow of pension and investment policy, spoke with me about how to fix Illinois’s pension problem. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4060 Suggested Reading for the Week of May 1 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4074 The $130 billion difference consists of two pieces; approximately $70 billion for future service and about $60 billion due to the pension systems’ use of economically-invalid discount rates. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4073 Collin Hitt, Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses the latest news on pensions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4067 Governor Mitch Daniels released an agenda outlining legislative priorities for the past session; it's an impressive list that we should try and emulate http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4069 If Illinois continues on its current path, the amount of money that state government spends on the State University Retirement System, or SURS, will eclipse the amount of general funds given to public universities and community colleges. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4063 In the Where Daily Life and Policy Meet series, Kristina Rasmussen will shine a light on how policy changes lives, and how good policy can change your life for the better. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4065 The principal of Little Village Academy, a public school in Chicago, banned students from bringing lunches from home unless they have a medical excuse. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4058 Check out the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4050 This week, Rasmussen Reports released the results of a new poll showing heavy dissatisfaction with the public education system in the U.S. when it comes to taxpayers getting their money's worth. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4039 Suggested Reading for the Week of April 25 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4054 Bucking the national trend and seeming end of President Obama's high speed rail plans, Illinois is still going forward with its costly and ineffective “high speed” rail plans. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4056 "blaming speculators 'for the price of a commodity is like blaming a thermometer for the weather'" http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4052 A new poll from Rasmussen finds that most American voters think public schools are wasteful. Interestingly, Americans also understate the amount of tax money that schools receive. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4053 An educational rap video about economics? John Papola and Economist Russ Roberts release the second round to the award-winning "Fear the Boom and Bust" YouTube sensation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4055 Be on the look out for “Help Wanted” signs starting to pop up in neighborhood store windows this spring. The national economy is slowly turning a corner, and so is Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4048 In fiscal year 2009, Illinois ranked last in the portion of pension liabilities funded and things have only gotten worse since then http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4049 Are you ready for another Illinois tax hike -- this time to the tune of $8.5 billion? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4051 Episode 3 of the Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty podcast brings in the winds of film tax credits, and the duo welcomes guest Richard Lorenc to talk about it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4044 Over the course of the decade, the required payment to local pension funds will triple to $1.927 billion, from today’s already cumbersome $650 million. A fiscal disaster is brewing, barring a significant change to state pension laws. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4045 Some politicians have an insatiable need to put their name on things at the expense of the taxpayers, a bill from Springfield would help end that practice. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4046 A new poll shows the burning issues for a wide majority Tea partiers are the economy, budget deficits or taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4047 Sooner than later, Illinois will join the movement to use online learning as a integral tool for school reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4004 The Tri-Count-Teas Tea Party group, that regularly meets in Bartlett, Illinois, has started its own version of the "Adopt-A-District" program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4038 Celebrate Speak Like Shakespeare Day with these catchy phrases! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4021 Suggested reading for the Week of April 18. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4036 With the recent downgrading of U.S. debt, budget reform is more urgent than ever. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4037 Simple steps to bring down the cost of gas http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4031 Budget solutions are desperately needed on the federal level, as well as here in Illinois. That's why the Institute joined more than 45 organizations in signing a coalition letter in support of U.S. Representative Paul Ryan's budget roadmap. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4026 Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel named his choice for CEO of the Chicago Public Schools on Monday http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4030 Video clips of Illinois Policy Institute speakers at Tax Day Tea Party rallies in Springfield and Chicago, with a clip from Congressman Joe Walsh. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4025 If trans fat is dangerous enough to be banned, why is government giving itself a pass? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4020 Purchasing health insurance through ObamaCare exchanges will be much more complicated than supporters suggest. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4008 Suggested Reading for the week of April 11 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4018 Vouchers are overwhelmingly about helping children in failing schools http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4019 Significant school reform legislation is moving forward in Illinois http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4015 Legislators in Missouri join a host of other states in rejecting higher rail spending proposed by Washington http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4016 We've reached an important moment for education reform. Teacher tenure - the impregnable job protection held by teachers good and bad - could soon be replaced by a system that protects only high performance. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4014 The time has come again to bring you the “Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty” podcast. In this, the second episode, they bring in policy analyst Amanda Griffin-Johnson to tell us why Tax Freedom Day in Illinois is a lot later than it ought to be. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4009 At the April 11th Village board meeting the Illinois Policy Institute will award a Certificate of Achievement to the Village of Willowbrook for its online transparency improvements. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4010 In fiscal year 2009 the State imposed 1,394 fees on residence. Click below to discover some of the fees http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4007 Two of our volunteers in the Liberty Leader program have won election into office, David Pfeifer and Allen Skillicorn. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4003 As talks heat up around the possibility of a government shut down one of the interesting side aspects is the furloughing of "nonessential" staff and their general role in government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4002 Investors are reacting negatively to the Governor's budget approach. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3999 Suggested Reading for the week of April 4 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4000 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the plaintiffs lack standing to challenge Arizona's scholarship tax credit program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4001 In the inaugural episode of the Mike, Mark and an Abundance of Liberty Show, Mike and Mark try to figure out what's going on at the University of Illinois and why the tuition there keeps going up. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3990 Suggested Reading for the Week of March 28 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3996 Podcasting about liberty will never be the same. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3998 Check out the Institute's latest campaign to promote liberty across Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3994 Mark your calendars! Today, the Tax Foundation released their report on the Tax Freedom Day for 2011. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3991 FatWallet said it would move out of the state if the Amazon Tax passed, this last week, it signed a lease in Wisconsin http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3992 A Daily Herald article raises the issue that some of the referendums on the ballot this year are are misleading and understating cost to taxpayer and fail to account for the state property tax multiplier/property tax equalizer. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3978 Suggested reading for March 25. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3987 They are both the only city and county in the top 10 to drop in population, according to the results of the 2010 U.S. Census released on Thursday. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3986 Mercatus senior research fellow Veronique de Rugy's latest publication describes the dire consequences of the federal government's spending trajectory. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3988 What do Chicago Public Schools' have a moral obligation to do? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3985 Get to know Illinois' newest State Representative, Derrick Smith, of Chicago, now representing the 10th State House District. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3979 Craig Mijares and Nancy Thorner are taxpayer heroes for getting information out to the public on excessive employee compensation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3976 While Washington debates spending cuts some deny there is even a problem. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3949 Suggested reading for the Week of March 14. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3967 Since 2009 the Illinois General Assembly has tried over and over again to pass a tobacco tax which will unfairly target small business owners and the poor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3965 Newly elected Board President Toni Preckwinkle is saying and doing the right things when it comes to solving a budget crisis. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3966 An interesting poll by by Public Policy Polling. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3970 Gary Johnson cocktail hour discussion March 23rd, Is Your Group A RepealTheTaxHike.com Coalition Partner?, Help Promote a Balanced Budget Without Tax Hikes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3957 After a decade of increasing spending, in this years budget debate responsible spenders start off with their backs to the goal line. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3950 Last year, a bill aimed at giving families in the worst performing Chicago schools a better opportunity failed in the Illinois House. This year, its back. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3959 Recently, we asked some of our more active Liberty Leaders to let us know what they are up to and what has made them successful in their efforts to promote liberty around the State of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3946 In a democracy it is especially important that citizens have access to information so they can actively participate in government and make good choices on Election Day. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3947 "It's a shame we have to consider leaving our longtime home in Illinois, but we will do what is best for our business." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3948 The Institute responds to an interview Quinn spokesperson Kelly Kraft gave Illinois Statehouse News. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3926 The news you need to know for March 10. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3941 Have you received Compass, our quarterly magazine? We are currently developing the Spring 2011 edition and we would love your feedback on what you would like to see. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3942 Why is it that collective bargaining for public employee unions inevitably leave taxpayers with the short end of the stick? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3935 Guest blogger, Dr. Mark Neerhof, examines the need for meaningful tort reform in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3937 We propose that the state creates a $150 million pot of funds. Each of these relatively small programs and grants must compete for funding from the Competitive Grant Funding pot. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3938 The Springfield School Board did not choose the lowest bidder to install a geothermal wellfield, which cost taxpayers an additional $125,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3930 Budget Solutions 2012 is a balanced budget proposal that does not require budget gimmicks, tax increases or borrowing. It is an exercise in priority setting. The truth is that tax dollars cannot support state government at its current size. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3927 Two weeks ago the Governor made his budget address, here is what he really said. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3928 Last night the Institute's John O'Hara was on Beyond the Beltway where he discussed the disparity between pay for public and private workers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3925 The Illinois Policy Institute will release on Tuesday a balanced, line-by-line alternative to Gov. Quinn’s budget plan for fiscal year 2012. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3905 All the news you need to know for the week of February 28. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3921 Two weeks ago the Governor made his budget address, here is what he really said. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3922 Liberty Leader Nancy Thorner's transparency initiative in Lake Forest School Districts 67 & 115 has led to questions about the Superintendent's salary http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3923 The Institute is mentioned in a Reason magazine online story that examines the Attorney General's decision to make FOID card data public. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3917 While most other states in the union are tackling public employee pensions, cutting taxes and razing roadblocks to prosperity, Illinois remains the last bastion of fiscal foolishness. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3918 Two weeks ago the Governor made his budget address, here is what he really meant. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3919 Today the House Revenue Committee passed a proposal that will lower the FY12 revenue estimates by $759 million http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3920 Lisa Madigan's new policy about making FOID cardholders publicly available would provide a handy list to thieves about where they can steal guns, and it would allow would-be attackers, criminals, and rapists to scout potential victims. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3913 This week, Pres. Obama put his support behind a bill that will purportedly give states flexibility by allowing them to "opt-out" of certain ObamaCare provisions. But does it really provide the solution states are looking for? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3914 Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s recent edict, which orders state police to release the names of all gun owners, is bad policy that will put guns into the hands of criminals, and give them a database of unarmed victims. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3915 Madison and Springfield less than 300 miles apart, yet they couldn't be more different in their approaches to governing. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3916 Two weeks ago the Governor made his budget address, here is what he really said. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3907 Evanston Resident Dan Kamerling has teamed up with the Illinois Policy Institute to conduct a Local Transparency Project in the Evanston Township Area. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3888 All the news you need to know for the week of February 21. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3902 “First you take away the unions, then you take away the Jews,” is the shocking comment one protestor at the Wisconsin state capitol told The Heritage Foundation in this video. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3903 The debate in Wisconsin highlights the difference between the private and public sectors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3904 I was asked recently why union members are protesting in Wisconsin, but we did not see similar protests in Springfield when the lame duck tax hikes were passed in January. The answer is simple: Taxpayers can’t afford to take off from work. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3874 The BGA's volunteer Citizen Watchdog Training is a free program that empowers citizens to keep an eye on their government and report about what's going on in their local communities. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3896 If Illinois fails financially, it will not do so in unison with the rest of the country. Will voters from Texas, Florida and the rest of the states send their tax dollars to help? Perhaps the success of "The Mount Vernon Statement" suggests not. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3897 Cook County probation officers have cast an enormous vote of no confidence in their current probation chief, according to an online survey conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3890 Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman offers seven ideas for Rahm Emanuel. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3852 All the news you need to know for the week of February 14. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3884 Following Judge Vinson's ruling declaring the federal healthcare legislation void, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has said he will not implement the unconstitutional law. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3885 In response to e-mails and phone calls, the Institute will keep the Cook County Probation survey operational over the coming weekend. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3886 In Illinois over 20%, on average, of your phone bill is federal, state, and local taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3887 While governors in New York and Wisconsin are stirring up much antagonism from state and local employees after making sizable cuts to stave off fiscal calamity, Illinois's Governor is adding hundreds to the state payroll. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3875 The Governor's budget recklessly ignores the biggest problem Illinois faces: Out of control spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3879 The "most transparent administration in history" institutes nondisclosure agreements http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3882 During the recession, American households have reduced their spending, paid down their debt, and increased their savings. Sadly, Government has not followed their example. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3883 The Illinois Policy Institute offers an anonymous survey for the Cook County Adult Probation Department. The results will be sent to the Chief Judge, County President and acting-Chief Probation Officer. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3859 As the governor delivers the budget address today, the Institute will have ongoing commentary on our Twitter page. View here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3861 Last year, the Illinois Policy Institute released Budget Solutions 2011, a line-by-line alternative to the Governor's budget proposal. To our knowledge, it was the first time in the state of Illinois that someone had done this. And we're doing it again. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3862 Cook County Probation officers say there’s a new pro-arrest policy regarding sexual offenders, which resulted from increased public scrutiny of their department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3855 A listing of each local, county and state Freedom of Information Act & Open Meetings Act officer in the State of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3856 Will more taxes and rosy revenue projections solve our fiscal mess? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3857 Obama's recently released budget proposal includes a retooled version of the infamous 1099 tax reporting requirement in ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3858 Indiana has started an advertising campaign to recruit Illinois residents and businesses. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3853 The U.S. Government faces some major budget challenges. President Obama unveiled his fiscal year 2012 budget today and will present it to Congress. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3851 Recently, one of our Liberty Leaders, Paul Detlefs, called into AM 560 (WIND) in Chicago to comment on excessive regulation of various professions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3821 All the news you need to know for the week of February 7. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3839 With recent improvements to the Village of Glencoe's website achieved a 92.5 out of 100 possible points on our transparency test, the highest score we’ve ever recorded in llinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3847 Illinois Senator Kimberly Lightford introduced legislation that would raise the minimum wage by 50 cents plus the rate of inflation annually until it reached the equivalent of $1.60 per hour in 1968. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3843 Thousands of probationers in Cook County who are required to submit to drug testing as a condition of their probation, are no longer at risk for being jailed even if they pass the drug test. The change in policy follows the Institute's special report. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3846 In an interview aired on Sunday, President Obama said, "Keep in mind that we've had 12 judges said -- that just threw this case out -- the notion that the health care law was unconstitutional." What are the facts? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3838 The Cook County Adult Probation Department is trying to strong-arm a local drug-testing firm into providing information that could falsely imply probationers have not stayed clean. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3840 The owner of a medical testing laboratory conducting drug tests of probationers in Cook County says the chief probation officer and several judges are pressuring him for data so they can turn negative drug tests into positive ones—passes into fails. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3826 Illinois lawmakers are proposing legislation that would create new state agencies and give out tax credits to certain groups. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3827 Despite the $700 million budget deficit Chicago Public Schools is facing, fourteen Chicago public school teachers went on an all-expense paid trip to a Las Vegas resort and spa for a conference last year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3829 How do the economies and populations of U.S. states compare to other countries? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3830 A painstakingly accurate chart from the Mercatus Center's Veronique de Rugy illustrates what current policies will do to our share of the nation's debt. Take your portion today, and double it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3832 The Illinois Policy Institute opposes the $8.75 billion additional borrowing plan and recommends a three year spending freeze at $27 billion with all revenues over that level being allocated to paying down the past due debt owed to the state’s vendors http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3819 The Snow Squad was Sunday afternoon capturing the conditions of side streets throughout the city. Five days after the Blizzard of 2011 we saw significant improvement in the conditions of the city's neighborhood and side streets. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3809 All the news you need to know for the week of January 31. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3818 What can the United States learn from Sweden? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3813 The Institute's Snow Squad canvassed the city to see how well Chicago responded to the Blizzard of 2011 and gave the city a B. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3814 After hearing of the Local Transparency Project and the 10-Point Transparency Checklist, Sen. Dan Duffy contacted the Illinois Policy Institute to address the issue with legislation at state level. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3816 In this week’s Spanish Language Series we focus on the essentials of school choice for Hispanic families. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3811 The Institute has filed a FOIA request seeking any e-mail sent or received by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's concerning the trouble-plagued Adult Probation Department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3812 Earlier today in Florida, U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that the ObamaCare's individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable from the legislation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3780 All the news you need to know for the week of January 24. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3795 The Institute's investigative reporter is seeking comments from Cook County probation officers assigned to drug courts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3803 Chief Medicare Actuary, Richard Foster, testified before the House Budget Committee earlier this week. See what he had to say about two of the main promises of ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3805 Government entities make up ____ of the top ten employers in Chicago? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3806 While Illinois recently increased its corporate income tax, it is simultaneously giving tax credits to certain companies if they agree to invest in Illinois and create new jobs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3807 Waivers from ObamaCare's minimum annual limit provision now cover over 2 million individuals. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3786 According to a Renaissance Schools Fund and Richard Day Research poll, Chicago's charter school parents report overwhelming satisfaction with the quality of their children's education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3788 The family of a 13-year-old girl who police say was sexually assaulted by a poorly-supervised probationer has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Cook County acting-Chief Probation Officer Jesus Reyes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3789 The Institute launched a Spanish language series earlier this week. In collaboration with the policy, outreach and watchdog investigative reporting teams at the Institute, Daniel Anthony, director of marketing and communications, will lead this effort. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3790 Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced through a spokeswoman he will not address the civil rights lawsuit filed against his probation chief. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3792 Spending caps, tax cuts, efficient government ... kudos to President Obama for using terms friendly to the fiscally-conscious crowd that swept control of the House in 2010. But the real question is, will he walk the walk or is this all talk? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3793 New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie views the recent tax increases in Illinois as an opportunity to woo businesses to New Jersey, and has just released a radio ad on his website. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3783 Amidst record demand for services, IDES agency heads say they don’t know why the appeals department is handling a fraction of the cases it did at this time last year. Staffers say the delay is intentional. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3784 From January 23rd to January 29th, America celebrates the power of choice in education. Advocates all across the nation are emphasizing real ways to improve the education of America's children. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3785 Now that the tax increases have been signed into law, Illinois must do everything it can to keep businesses from leaving the state. The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) can lead the way by correcting a work slowdown http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3779 Post tax hike farewell letters from Illinois residents. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3759 All the news you need to know for the week of January 17. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3768 A new survey finds disturbing predictions about the future of health care from those most qualified to say, doctors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3771 Rep. Jim Jordan proposes federal budget cuts which will save $2.5 Trillion over ten years http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3775 In one of my first media appearances following the tax increases, I noted that the Institute would immediately begin to work on repealing them. Some have wondered if this makes any sense ... Here are some reasons why it does. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3778 Senator Toomey discusses the consequences of raising the debt ceiling. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3776 A number of business owners have joined the over 2,400 who have signed our tax hike repeal petition and have stated their intention to leave Illinois or close their doors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3777 With the new additions, there are now 26 states participating in the Florida-based lawsuit. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3766 Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a bold first step on the journey to saving health care. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3769 The Illinois Policy Institute was asked to brief Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's staff about systemic flaws uncovered during its ongoing investigation of the county's Adult Probation Department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3770 Chicago commuters often complain about traffic, with good reason. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3750 In 2010, Illinois Citizens spent 101 days working off their state and federal taxes, the Quinn tax hike will take even more of your time. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3761 A look at the top quotes surrounding the controversial tax hike legislation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3764 Ald. Reilly is the rarest of Chicago politicians, someone who does his homework, speaks quite plainly and openly about what he learns, and offers specific and relevant proposals to “right-size city government”. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3760 In case you missed the results of Medicaid reform amid all the news of the massive tax hike last week, here are the details. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3719 All the news you need to know for January 14 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3751 The Illinois Policy Institute was recently invited to meet with a group of Cook County Probation Officers, who offered common-sense policy solutions to fix their trouble-plagued department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3758 The income tax hike will cost the average Illinois household $1,488 more in taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3746 A number of business owners in Springfield have expressed grave concern over the tax hike, according to the State-Journal Register. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3747 If the vote been delayed for the new legislature to be sworn in Illinois there is a good chance the income tax hike vote wouldn’t have been passed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3748 How will the Illinois income tax hike affect you and your family? Some of our friends from around the state tell their story. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3749 The Illinois Policy Institute announces new board members and Chairman of the Board to the Board of Directors, as well as new staff members. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3733 With an influx of new state officers this month, four states may soon be joining the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3737 On the same day the General Assembly abolished the death penalty, lawmakers also implemented the death penalty on Illinois’s economy and taxpayers by passing a 67 percent income tax hike in the face of overwhelming public opposition. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3740 Governors Scott Walker from Wisconsin and Mitch Daniels of Indiana are enthusiastic while Illinois reels from the tax hysteria that hit the state this morning. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3741 Late last night, the legislature passed personal and corporate income tax increases. Check out what Mayor Daley has to say about it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3725 Springfield businessmen say the proposed $1-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes constitutes an unfair tax on the poor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3727 The Institute's Snow Squad gives the city of Chicago an A on main roads and an F on its response to side roads during today's winter storm. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3728 The latest developments from Springfield on the income tax hike proposal. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3729 The City of Chicago kept 17 employees on the payroll after their convictions in public corruption cases, at a cost of $681,195 to the taxpayers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3720 $500. $720. $1,000. These may seem like small sums compared to your total salary, but the amount a Quinn/Cullerton/Madigan tax hike will carve into your discretionary income is painfully revealing. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3721 Tune into WLS 890AM Tuesday morning, 9:35 a.m. to hear Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman address ways to balance the state budget without a tax increase. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3674 All the news you need to know for the week of January 3 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3710 One of the “50 Best Small and Medium Workplaces” is already looking to relocate. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3713 The Labor Department report indicated the U.S. economy added 103,000 jobs in December. The Report also indicated the national unemployment rate dropped slightly. Although this sounds positive, there are a few things one must keep in mind. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3701 A hypothetical look at the impact of a tax hike over time. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3704 Yesterday, the Illinois Senate passed legislation recommended by the Special Committee on Medicaid Reform, and the legislation will be moving to the House. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3705 Another bill to kill jobs in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3706 We were not kidding when we said the online sales tax collection bill was a job- and commerce-killing move. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3707 Reports indicate Democratic leaders have agreed on a plan to hike the state income tax by a whopping 75 percent. Or maybe even 83 percent. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3694 The amendment from Rep. Bost addresses many of the flaws with the proposed spending limit. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3695 Senator John Cullerton of Chicago is proposing an unconstitutional $150 million tax on online shopping during the special legislative session in order to pay for the state’s reckless spending habits. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3696 Last year the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign paid buyouts to 133 senior professors. The buyouts were offered to professors to retire early with a payment equivalent to half a year’s salary. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3697 The 112th Congress, which convened today, plans to adopt new governing rules for guiding the legislative process. Multiple transparency reforms are among the changes under consideration. Springfield should take a look and consider them too. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3699 Ald. Reilly is the rarest of Chicago politicians, someone who does his homework, speaks quite plainly and openly about what he learns, and offers specific and relevant proposals to “right-size city government”. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3700 In a move to fulfill the Pledge to America’s commitment to a more transparent and accountable government, House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa and House Speaker John Boehner today announced the release of broadcast-quality Oversight hearing vid http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3686 Tax and expenditure limits are a good way to ensure that government outlays do not grow faster than the public’s ability to pay. All spending limits are not created equal, however. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3687 Legislative special committees on Medicaid reform are set to announce reform legislation later this week. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3688 African-American probation officers in Cook County have formed a group to expose what they say are racist management practices. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3689 Report shows a $1 per-pack cigarette tax increase will bring in 33% less revenue than advocates claim http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3690 Illinois already owes billions in overdue payments to state vendors and now is behind in payments to a state university. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3691 Including charges for alcohol, parties, and other "gratuitous expenditures." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3692 The Illinois Policy Institute is going down to Springfield on Wednesday, January 5 (Tomorrow) with our Liberty Leaders. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3677 By meeting with your elected representatives you can make sure your voice is heard on the proposed Illinois income tax hike. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3681 Why isn't the public being given a chance to speak out about a proposed spending limit? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3682 When the Illinois General Assembly redraws the legislative district map they will need to take into account the significant shift in population that has taken place since the last redistricting process. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3683 Find out which former legislators have the highest pensions and how much they've received in total. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3684 The U.S. House of Representatives plans a vote to repeal ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3672 The recent blizzard that hit much of the Northeast is a clear reminder that snow removal and salt application policy decisions have a real impact on the lives of residents. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3673 Multiple sources tell us that Mike Madigan is polling legislators for their support on a 66% income tax hike that would collect an estimated $6 billion per year from http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3670 This year's Illinois General Assembly lame duck session reminds us of the damage that can be done when some lawmakers have nothing to lose. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3669 Joe Heller of the Pantagraph parodies the looming deficit problem about to snowball the U.S. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3665 Rasmussen Reports show only 21 percent of Americans support "net neutrality" regulations on the Internet, while the majority of Americans believe free market competition will protect Internet users more than government regulation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3666 Illinois's pension funds are set to run dry by 2018. Chicago--not much better--will see its funds deplete by 2019. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3667 That's right, you may have to look twice. Governor Quinn is proposing Illinois borrow $15 billion to "fix" its budget woes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3664 Under Governor Quinn's proposed tax hike, a multitude of Illinois families will bear the brunt of Illinois's budget burden. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3663 The Institute's Snow Squad gives the city of Chicago a B+ on its response to last night's snowstorm. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3634 All the news you need to know for the week of December 20. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3660 A Whistleblower who helped uncover waste, fraud and abuse within the Cook County Adult Probation Department is now facing an internal investigation and possible discipline despite assurances from probation chief that no whistleblower would be punished. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3661 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3654 Disdain for clout and concern for taxpayer dollars permeate the rank and file of the Cook County Adult Probation Department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3653 Preliminary 2010 Census data released Tuesday indicate that Illinois will be one of ten states to lose one or more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3656 If not raising taxes is good enough for Obama and the American people, then why does Quinn think Illinois needs a tax hike? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3655 Workers' Compensation costs in Illinois are some of the highest in the country and a primary factor driving businesses and jobs out of the state, hurting those looking for work and the economic health of Illinois overall. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3657 On Tuesday, the U.S. Census officials released their final population numbers for the nation and its implications for reapportionment. Currently Illinois has 19 Congressional seats but will lose one for the next election in 2012. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3658 Yet another example of Quinn's own party explaining why raising taxes is not good. Durbin gets it, why not Quinn? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3659 Businesses suffer and recipients lose access to resources when Illinois can't pay bills on time. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3642 Get out your family budget and a red pen. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3647 The Institute's Snow Squad gives the city of Chicago an A on its response to last night's snowstorm. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3649 The Heritage Foundation has produced an excellent widget to show the potential cost of the healthcare overhaul. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3650 Officers within the Cook County Adult Probation Department say a burglar who their agency let fall through the cracks, was later arrested for armed robbery. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3651 Unpredictable rhetoric and policies in Washington, a complicated tax code, and health care reform are giving Santa—and his 1,700-year-old business—cause for concern. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3631 This week, Congress passed a temporary extension of the Bush tax rates and also decided to pursue a temporary continuing resolution to keep the government operating http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3636 The FCC is set to adopt Net Neutrality rules on December 21. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3637 Families are watching their budgets and managing spending as efficiently as possible, focusing on necessities and eliminating unessential spending. Government at every level should do the same—while some are, others are not. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3638 Last night's 60 Minutes episode featured a nationwide trend of how States are facing severe financial problems. The worst: Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3639 Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker has taken some heat for rejecting federal high-speed rail funds. He made the right choice. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3641 Let's fix this fast. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3607 All the news you need to know for the week of December 13. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3629 Twenty-one states, in addition to a number of advocacy groups, have filed lawsuits arguing that several provisions of Obama Care are unconstitutional. This week, a Court has found a portion of Obama Care unconstitutional. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3630 The Institute poses 15 questions to the Cook County Chief Judge about the Adult Probation Department, which operates under his authority. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3615 How would plans to hike Illinois's income tax affect you and your family? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3622 Do you know the difference between "personal" and "personnel?" http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3624 A South Side mom discovered a sexual predator hiding in her daughter’s bedroom. A furious struggle ensued, and she hung onto him until help arrived. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3625 Illinois's economic health is in jeopardy. One avenue Illinois lawmakers must address in order to bring prosperity back to this state involves sweeping regulatory reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3626 Cook County probation officers raise new allegations of misconduct within the trouble-plagued Adult Probation Department. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3614 Chicago is lagging behind other cities in the economic recovery according to the Brookings Institution’s MetroMonitor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3616 Tomorrow Illinois Policy Institute is having a press conference in front of Chicago Theater on State Street. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3617 Turn out and tune in this week! Three pivotal events are taking place that could pave the way for meaningful education reform in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3608 As Cook County struggles to find ways to close its budget gap, top administrators at the county’s health and hospitals system received large pay raises. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3610 Unfortunately, we are #1 in a category where we would prefer to rank last. Illinois ranks first in worst places to retire, and second in estimated population drop. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3606 The Institute's Snow Squad gives the city of Chicago a D on its response to Sunday's snowstorm. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3587 All the news you need to know for the week of December 6. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3598 Quinn is offering pension increases to state police officers that retire before the end of the year -- reducing short-term costs, but exacerbating the state's pension problem. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3602 Nice work, if you can get it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3603 The nonprofit Physicians Foundation recently released the results of a national survey of physicians, which included some troubling results. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3604 Cook County Acting-Chief Probation Officer Jesus Reyes declined to discuss the problems revealed in the Institute's special report, but promised that none of his staff would be sanctioned for speaking to the Institute. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3601 A lack of leadership and accountability within the Cook County Adult Probation Department have crippled the agency’s effectiveness, allowed dangerous criminals to run amok, and placed society at extreme risk. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3597 The Institute is seeking individuals who have appeals pending with the Illinois State Property Tax Appeal Board. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3600 The State Policy Network has selected the Illinois Policy Institute to receive its SPNovation award for the Last Honest Man tip line. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3594 Play lots, bus facilities, and street repair -- earmark requests from Illinois's Congressional delegation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3589 Should Illinois follow Wisconsin and Ohio in rejecting the high-speed rail boondoggle? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3590 Why an Arizona Congressman matters to Illinoisans. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3591 Unfortunately, Illinois took two steps back in the transparency movement last week during veto session. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3592 Will state tax hikes erase federal tax cuts? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3585 The Institute's Snow Squad gives the city of Chicago a B- on its response to Saturday's snowstorm. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3583 In Washington and in Springfield, legislatures seem to be avoiding larger issues such as the economy and instead voting on smaller, less pressing legislation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3562 All the news you need to know for the week of November 29. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3582 The Illinois Senate put a lock on state employee evaluations today by overriding Gov. Quinn's amendatory veto of HB5141, marking an unfortunate move backward for transparency and accountability in Illinois government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3581 Rationing is for little people. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3568 Senator Dick Durbin votes against an earmark ban. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3570 Government salaries have received significant interest in recent months, and it appears this interest and questions surrounding government employee salaries are not going away anytime soon. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3571 Mercatus Center's Veronique de Rugy has captured nearly a century's worth of American tax data that upholds the conclusion found in Hauser's Law--increasing the top marginal rate has not improved the government's revenue position. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3572 Thousands of people have taken fraudulent free rides on Chicago's mass-transit system by using passes issued to now-deceased senior citizens. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3573 Over the last two years, many states have faced large budget shortfalls due to declines in revenue and continued spending at unaffordable rates. Some have dramatically cutback spending to balance their budgets, while others have raised taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3574 Cartoon from Jack Higgins illustrating Illinois's ticking time bomb: the state pension fund. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3575 A newly launched Local Transparency Project in the Downers Grove Township area, by Liberty Leader Stephen Woodward, has begun to spark improvements in local government transparency. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3576 The Chicago mayoral race has brought out the issue of tax increment financing (TIF), and it will likely (and hopefully) be a hot topic as the race progresses. Illinois, and Chicago especially, needs a total overhaul of the TIF process and major reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3577 Earlier today, District Court Judge Norman Moon dismissed a lawsuit challenging the federal healthcare overhaul. Because the case was dismissed on merits, it will now be on the fast track to appeal. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3578 Tomorrow marks the first day of Chicago's annual snow-related parking restrictions. Make sure your car isn't in a restricted spot before you hit the hay tonight, or you will wake up to unpleasant charges! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3579 Restore homes damaged by floods or throw a picnic party with federal grant money? Stroger's administration decided on a party. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3548 All the news you need to know for the week of November 22. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3563 According to a study done by the Civic Federation, the City of Chicago is $2.4 billion short on its pension contributions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3564 The weekly Liberty Leaders e-mail for the last week of November. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3565 Earlier today, President Obama announced a recommendation for a two year wage freeze for civilian federal employees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3566 Illinois along with California have massive budget shortfalls in 2011. In order to help states deal with budget crises, University of Pennsylvania Law Professor David Skeel argues states should be able to go into bankruptcy. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3567 Kurt Hauser is back again to reinforce his famous "Hauser's Law," which states that driving up the top margin income tax rate has indeed left tax revenues unaffected. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3560 According to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant Tracker website, the Little Black Pearl Workshop received a $71,000 grant to help complete the industrial arts glass studio. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3561 Jack Higgins of the Chicago Sun Times put together a fun cartoon concerning the TSA security measures impacting travelers this holiday season. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3556 According to the Chicago Tribune the Illinois Department of Corrections is $95 million behind on its bills. If Illinois does not start paying its bills on time, vendors could take their business elsewhere. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3555 While several of Illinois’s neighbors are moving towards cutting taxes to help promote economic growth and job creation, Governor Quinn is pushing hard for an increase in the individual income tax rate to help “solve” Illinois’s budget problems. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3558 Last week’s video was a lighthearted take on a businesses perspective facing uncertain regulations and taxation on the horizon. This week’s video is a real story from a real person. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3559 Illinois legislators toy with the idea of taxing out-of-state online retailers--adding to the taxes Illinois residents will face when shopping online. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3547 Congress is considering extending federally subsidized municipal bonds that have lead to nearly $160 billion in new debt over the past 19 months. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3550 Some big efforts were begun by Ron Huberman during his time as CEO of Chicago Public Schools. The Chicago Tribune editors encouraged his replacement Terry Mazany to keep shouldering those boulders uphill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3551 Mercatus Center's Veronique de Rugy shows the long-term path of federal spending on three of its largest components: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and interest on accrued debt. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3545 Find out with the user-friendly database offered by the National Taxpayers Union. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3546 County Board President-elect, Toni Preckwinkle is calling for budget cuts as she transitions into her new role. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3520 All the news you need to know for the Week of November 15. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3541 Recently, a frustrated Downers Grove resident, Stephen Woodward, approached the Institute when his local school board refused comprehensive transparency measures. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3543 One example of how politics is played and how simple it is to shine fiscal prudence in a negative light. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3544 Newly-elected state Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palantine) opted out of the General Assembly's pension system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3540 Senate President John Cullerton announced today that he will form committees to study workers compensation and Medicaid reform, two issues that were talking points for Republicans during the campaign. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3533 President Obama will eventually agree to extend all the tax cuts if the Republicans stand firm and hold out for the full extension for all income levels. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3532 A lot of money comes out of union members' pockets for dues, but how many members know exactly what those dues are going towards? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3535 Many property taxpayers in Cook County are confused and angry by their property tax bills. While property value assessments are supposedly declining, tax bills are increasing leaving many asking, “Why?” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3538 Profits are up! But uncertainty with taxes, health care, and regulation are making businesses wary of expansion. Check out this funny new video from Bankrupting America. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3537 Not such a crazy idea. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3523 After a visit to CICS-Basil takeaways show Chicago International Charter Schools are paving the way to successful reform in Chicago public education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3529 After the resignation of Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman, Mayor Daley has announced his replacement - making this the last schools chief of the Daley Era at CPS. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3530 The IL House just overrode Gov. Quinn's amendatory veto of HB5154. The bill exempts all public employee performance evaluations under the Freedom of Information Act. If the Senate agrees, this would be a major step backward for transparency. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3515 The Food and Drug Administration recently released estimates that it would take vending machine companies 14 million hours each year to comply with one regulation in ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3521 What policies will help win the battle for jobs? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3517 Check out tweetillinois.org for the latest and greatest tweets from legislators. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3518 Bureaucracy deciding who gets exemptions from a law and who does not... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3516 If the elections and public sentiment are a mandate for anything, that mandate is to leave the current income tax rates alone. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3496 All the news you need to know for the week of November 8. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3513 All interested in government transparency, check out this new website, sunshinestandard.org, created by Sunshine Review. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3514 AARP, one of the key supporters of the health care overhaul, recently informed their employees that their insurance costs would be going up, due to the health care legislation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3509 Today, on the one day of the year our society chooses to honor our warriors, we can certainly make the time to do just that. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3510 Joe Biden recently said that every single great idea of the last 200 years has “required government vision and incentive.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3511 A recent Rasmussen Reports national survey found ambivalence among voters about House Republican plans to investigate the Obama administration – unless the subject of the probe is the unpopular national health care bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3512 There's little question that NYC schools are better off after the eight year reign of former Clinton White House official Joel Klein. But is there something the Big Apple can learn from the Second City, and vice versa? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3482 Amid the contentious debate as to how we improve public education in America, there is one reality to which all parties subscribe: there is no substitute for a quality teacher in the classroom. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3507 What surprises are in store for Illinoisans as legislators head back to the capitol post-election? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3505 The number of federal employees earning $150,000 or more has grown tenfold since 2005. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3508 About that mandate... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3499 While many experts are trying to interpret the results of the election in Illinois, they might have an easier time interpreting the people’s views on tax increases. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3501 A prima donna of states, and her runner up. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3502 Illinois will soon have to pay interest charges on the $2.2 billion it borrowed from the federal government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3503 Why are taxpayers on the hook for subsidizing such developments, all under the guise of TIF? Cook County collected $875 million from taxpayers in TIF money in 2008. How much of this went to economic development in blighted areas? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3498 The Illinois Policy Institute vows to take legal action if the fake news stories are not removed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3490 Elections and excuses go hand in hand, but here’s one I’ve never seen before. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3473 All the news you need to know for for the Week of November 1. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3494 How $535 million in stimulus dollars added up to...not much. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3492 Mercatus Center's Matthew Mitchell reveals the devastating impact united governments can have on federal spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3495 I-1098 goes down in defeat. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3484 Get to know new legislators on their way to Springfield. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3488 Northfield Township High School District 225 received $107,126 as part of a renewable energy grant from the state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3483 If I did not believe in free markets and free minds, NBA Commissioner David Stern would be my choice for “Pay Czar.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3485 Okay, Illinois. You've got recall rights for the governor's office. Now good luck trying to use them. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3486 Spending reforms are needed to ensure the long-term health of city finances, but it appears that Mayor Daley would rather continue depleting the city's reserves. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3487 Governor Quinn called the Senate back to Springfield for Thursday -- what fate is in store for his $4 billion pension borrowing bill? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3491 All across the country, from federal races to local races, the national mood and resulting election wave dominated and largely prevailed. In Illinois, that same wave only flowed for the federal races, not the General Assembly or governor’s race. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3493 Check out this interesting breakdown of the election results. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3479 Sometimes it can be tough to tell the difference. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3480 The Institute's Lee Williams became inspired this morning while waiting to vote, and developed this Top 10 list to help you decide how to cast your ballot. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3468 Couldn't make it to the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear? Reason TV provides a glimpse of what went on this weekend in D.C. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3470 Over-the-counter medicines will no longer qualify as FSA and HSA purchases in 2011, thanks to ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3471 Reasons why the Illinois Department of Natural Resources spent nearly $200,000 to study the Golden Mouse and the Marsh Rice Rat remain unclear. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3472 It's nice to see that our former governor has found gainful employment as a pitchman for pistachio nuts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3475 On Thursday, another conviction was handed down in a string of corruption trials involving city building and zoning inspectors. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3476 The Institute's investigative reporter appears on WGN Radio to discuss his recent special report. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3477 The Chicago Football Classic Inc. received a $100,000 grant to assist in hosting the Chicago Football Classic, between Mississippi Valley State and Southern University. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3478 The Institute was quoted in Great Britain's largest newspaper, about Illinois charter schools of all things. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3466 Ever wonder why the Bears don’t trot out on the field each Sunday with a great big Vienna Beef logo on their chests? It’s all the rage in other sports in other countries. It’s worth millions of dollars each year to soccer franchises in Europe, for one. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3427 All the news you need to know for the week of October 25. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3456 The decision to release information on a Friday afternoon heading into a weekend when everyone is going to be focused on elections is not something that one would expect if the news was good. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3462 Federal and state candidates join incumbents in making no-new taxes promise in upcoming election. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3457 Governor Quinn announced yesterday that he's "very blessed" the Chrysler board of directors approved a $62 million incentive package from the state. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3459 Illinois State police deny Pittman-Robertson Act funds were used to construct police firearms ranges. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3460 However, the IDNR did not respond to the Institute. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3461 Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico announced today he would take a 20% cut in pay and would force thousands of other city employees to do the same if elected mayor http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3464 State's use of federal grant dollars unprecedented. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3465 A pilot project mandating early voting sites on public universities incurs high costs, but draws few students to vote. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3446 SPRINGFIELD, IL.—The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is misappropriating millions of dollars that should have been earmarked for the state’s sportsmen. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3447 Chris Britt parodies the union backlash to zoo volunteers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3448 In a year when you see a million and a half political ads every time you turn on the TV, it takes a lot for one to stand out. But this one does. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3449 Illinois's late payments are catching up with it, and businesses are responding. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3450 A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 65 percent of "Likely U.S. Voters" say if they had the option next week, they would get rid of the entire Congress and start all over again. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3451 Illinois public school teachers always rank among the country's highest-paid, but what standard of living does that provide once other factors are accounted for? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3452 Speaking at a Tea Party rally, Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's executive vice president, stresses the importance of knowing the amendments on Tuesday's ballot. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3453 NJ Gov. Christie has once again put taxpayers first and called for an end to building a tunnel from NJ to Manhattan, a construction project started under former Gov. Corzine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3455 Yes, programmatic spending is down. But pension payments are way up, 67 percent. Government in Illinois isn't getting smaller yet - it's just spending less on welfare and more on state retirees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3442 Recent Gallup poll shows the size and power of government remains a major concern for American voters. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3437 Please join us for a conference call on Wednesday, October 27th to talk about how you can help our new investigative journalism project. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3443 A Springfield union files a grievance against a volunteer zoo clean-up day. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3444 Illinois's chosen elementary school standards have been lambasted in the past for being too low and thus meaningless. A new report from the American Institutes of Research piles it on even further. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3445 Spending $79,000 to have actors dress up in 19th century costumes hardly seems like a priority, especially with the budget deficit next year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3432 An overwhelming 73% of voters in Illinois blame the budget crisis in the state on politicians’ unwillingness to reduce government spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3434 The Illinois Policy Institute has proposed greater transparency in taxpayer-funded lobbying, including reports on state and local government expenditures on lobbyists. The Daily Herald has found another good reason for transparency. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3433 How transparency can help root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government health care systems. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3441 $2.8 billion in more taxes? A Mercatus on Policy study shows for every federal dollar spent, the state picks up almost half the tab thereafter. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3438 Spending agenda analysis for Alexi Giannoulias and Mark Kirk. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3439 Commenting on the race for Governor and U.S. Senate in Illinois, David Axelrod suggests "extraneous factors" and a lot of "fractiousness" are to blame for Democrats' poor showing in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3440 Here's a telling graph, courtesy of the Heritage Foundation, about how the stimulus has "worked" since January 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3426 Great Britain's new center-right administration has inherited a national government in deep and growing debt. Austerity appears to be the name of the new game, and higher education will not be spared. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3428 Is now a good time to be increasing sales taxes? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3429 What is your school district spending money on? Check out some new spending data available on our spending transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3430 The Illinois Honest Taxation Pledge has another new signer! Senator Dale Righter (R-Matoon) reaffirmed his commitment to protecting taxpayers and being honest with voters through his signature today. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3431 Transparency serves as a deterrent to corruption and allows an opportunity for the public to expose corruption quickly when it does occur. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3385 All the news you need to know for the week of October 18. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3420 Americans don't approve of the new health care legislation, and our neighbors to the North continue to be the canary in the coal mine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3421 Chicago Horticultural Society received a $250,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity “to assist in the development of the visitor interpretive features in the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3422 The Heritage Foundation's 2010 Index of Dependence on Government shows a frightening trend of growing dependence on government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3424 Please keep the tips coming. The response has been overwhelming, but I am working as fast as I can. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3414 Thursday's arraignment of eight current and former city council members in Bell,California, accused of bilking the small town of millions of taxpayer dollars should serve as a wake-up call togovernment watchdogs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3418 Here's a very funny video from Bankrupting America about the oft-forgotten 34th miner rescued in Chile, an American who is a little worried when he finds out what's waiting for him in back in America. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3419 Despite the harsh recession Congress has failed to extend the 2001 & 2003 tax cuts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3417 Google is paying taxes at a 2.4% rate. Let's fix it! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3402 You can't buy this lamp if you live in California. Why? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3404 Shoddy workmanship, fraud, and more...Chicago's stimulus-funded weatherization projects go awry. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3407 Please join us for a conference call on Wednesday October 27th on how you can help our new investigative journalism project. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3406 Like moths to the flame, politicians keep showing off their questionable baseball skills. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3408 With 7 signers already this month, the Honest Taxation Pledge is turning out to be a key indicator of where our elected officials stand on the issues http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3409 A recent audit of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority found $43 million of wasteful spending on perks, including bonuses for employees working on their birthdays. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3410 A recent Rasmussen poll sounds the alarm to incumbents: The major votes you’ve cast in Congress over the past couple years appear likely to come back to haunt you this Election Day. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3411 Take a look at a comparison of net job creation since 2000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3412 Depression or recession? Defining the two is crucial in preventing one from turning into the other. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3390 The Illinois elections have nothing on the current New York gubernatorial contest. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3391 Stantis illustrates Quinn's dubious rescue attempt. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3392 Mercatus's Veronique de Rugy tracks the year-over-year employment changes by employment sector. In 2009, private employment missed out while federal and government held on. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3395 Boeing, citing the new health care law, pares down its employee health plan. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3396 The Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development received a $40,000 grant from the state to reimburse private property owners for downtown façade improvements in Canton, Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3397 Building models is a wonderful hobby but may not be the best use of the taxpayer’s money. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3399 The Inspector General concluded Chicago officials falsified paperwork to dodge competitive biding rules and give a $23 million contract to Motorola. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3398 Our State's reputation is in the gutter. The Illinois Policy Institute is doing something about it, and we need our Liberty Leaders to help. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3400 A little late to the party with this one, but the October 12 episode of ESPN's B.S. Report podcast features Bill Simmons and his buddy Jack-O riffing on the idea of player-managers in baseball. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3379 Illinois judges, justices and judicial organizations are still refusing to comment on their salaries. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3382 You've heard of losing the Freshman Fifteen. But can Illinois colleges trim fat, too, by lowering their freshman dropout rates? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3384 Could it happen here? The New York Times profiles Japan's economic and cultural malaise. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3386 Tough times for everyone, except for those who work for the government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3387 Rep. Michael Connelly introduced a bill that focuses on paying down past-due debt and funding the state's struggling pension system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3389 We just updated the job description for our Milton Friedman Internship program, with more specific details on our areas of specialization. They are: policy, Liberty Leaders, investigative reporting, marketing and communications, and external relations. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3344 All the news you need to know for the week of October 11. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3370 The Institute's investigative reporter wants to interview people about Pittman-Robertson Act funding in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3371 No last minute, lame duck tax hikes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3372 Over $6.4 billion this year's revenues will be used to pay last year’s bills. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3373 Politicians in Michigan hope to combat Detroit's decades-long decline with a new light rail project, even though Detroit's current light rail system operates at only 2.5% of capacity. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3374 The Illinois Senate has been scheduled to return to Springfield in early November to consider a contentious pension bonding measure. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3375 The USA is less free than it recently was? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3376 The Illinois Policy Institute is working on its 2011 edition of the Legislators' Guide to the Issues (our 2010 version is here), and we are including short quotes from Illinois residents like you about how policy affects your families and businesses. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3377 The bill addresses the unethical practice of unions supporting politicians in exchange for favorable contracts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3361 School choice, lower taxes, job creation: These, and not welfare payments, are what would really help the poor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3362 Illinois's tax amnesty program is set to last from October 1st to November 8th. Good policy? Bad policy? The state could certainly use the revenue. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3363 Michelle Rhee has stepped down as head of Washington D.C. Public Schools. Her departure was widely expected after her boss, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty, was defeated in the city's mayoral primary election. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3365 There is something wrong when the Governor of a state must literally pay companies to stay that would otherwise leave for more business-friendly locations. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3366 Mayoral candidates looking to fill Daley's seat are starting to talk TIF, calling for more transparency and questioning the practice of creating TIF districts in areas that are not exactly blighted. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3367 Mayor Daley went forward with his plans to use TIF reserves in order to "balance" his proposed FY2011 budget, leaving it to his future replacement to tackle the inherent problems that led the city into a deficit in the first place. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3369 The Chicago Tribune wrote an editorial review of "Waiting for Superman." The editors outlined a reform platform in a remarkably efficient five paragraphs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3353 Should we tax people more, or cut government? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3357 If you’re a Cook County Adult Probation officer or supervisor, I want to talk to you. Please call me at 1-888-666-8809. Anonymity and confidentiality are guaranteed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3358 On "Face the Nation", Bob Schieffer dissects the White House's scare tactics and its attack on the Chamber of Commerce. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3360 Despite the regulatory challenges, clean coal technology is revitalizing the coal industry while protecting the environment. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3341 Chicago mayoral hopeful Gery Chico says that he'd be interested in bringing Paul Vallas back to run the city's public school system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3346 What information have you armed yourself with to vote? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3347 With the release of the 2010 Capital Bill Piglet Book highlighting wasteful spending by the state, I was curious to see what kind of wasteful spending was taking place at the federal level on behalf of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3348 In a recent study, Chicago's unfunded pension liability totaled nearly $42,000 per household--the highest per household total of the 50 municipalities included in the study! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3351 Illinois taxpayers are subsidizing one of the highest paid judiciaries in the country, and the judges don’t want to talk about it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3352 You hear it everywhere you go, complaints about government corruption, wasteful spending or a government official abusing their power and ultimately the public trust. The Illinois Policy Institute is doing something about it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3393 Learn how you can help stop Tax Increment Financing abuse. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3338 It's very tough to disagree with this one. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3339 The Greek health system opts for amputation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3340 California overestimates pollution levels by 340%. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3316 All the news you need to know for the week of October 5th. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3328 A terrific example of what government departments often really want to accomplish. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3329 If Michael Bay directed the United States government, I think it would look a lot like this. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3330 Despite Illinois’s record deficit and $6 billion in unpaid bills, Governor Quinn recently announced $50 million in new spending for the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3332 On Thursday, a Michigan federal judge ruled the individual mandate in the health care legislation is constitutional. Why? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3324 When all else fails, raise the tax on taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3325 Many out there will argue that the obsession with Superintendents and heroic figures is the wrong approach to school reform. But that doesn't change the fact that we're talking about Chicago, and nobody loves a free agent search more than the Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3326 Phil O'Connor skewers the arguments for the construction of a “clean coal” power plant in Taylorville. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3313 The Pew Research Center released a resident survey study today. The verdict? Illinoisans say stop borrowing and start cutting. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3312 The Heritage Foundation's new slideshow, "Obamacare in Pictures," details the impact of the health care legislation using charts and graphics. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3310 All is never right in Metropolis, even with Superman. So what to do after the movie "Waiting for Superman" leaves the scene? Here are some ideas for school reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3311 In a global bond fire sale, Illinois ends up in worse shape than Mexico and Portugal. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3315 Although Recovery.gov promised transparency on how the government spends every dollar of stimulus money, USA Today reports "there's $162 million the website doesn't disclose." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3317 The New York Times profiles Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems, who harnesses business help India's poor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3320 Bill Ayers - state employee and university professor in Illinois for 25 years - is retiring. He'll get the normal pension perks due to state university professors, but he won't get the ornamental emeritus title. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3322 You can watch the trailer for the buzzed-about education film, "Waiting for Superman," here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3323 This video comes from a debate in the U.S. Senate race going on in Connecticut. One candidate gives a long-winded answer as he touts "creative policies" by the government, listing several examples of his intervention. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3394 Now, with each new Illinois Policy Institute policy study we will including an one-page Liberty Leader Policy Point geared towards helping citizens make a difference on the issues facing Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3308 Veronique de Rugy adds some perspective to the debate over extending the Bush tax cuts by comparing the size of the tax cuts to the amount of spending over the next decade. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3299 High-speed waste in the northeast corridor http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3300 When it comes to taxes its only the facts that matter. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3301 A 5th grader knows that it is better to grow the pie, not shrink it http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3309 One thing that caught my eye while formatting the 2010 Illinois Capital Bill Piglet Book, was the amount of money going to parking. In total, the state of Illinois is paying over $4.4 million dollars. to 43 various cities, towns, parpark districts, etc. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3302 One man's (seated) stand to protect his incandescent light bulbs, rain showerheads, and Japanese spa toilets from over-regulation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3305 Local government lobbyists need not register, and they're exempted from the gift ban. Why? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3306 Arthur Laffer compares pre and post-income tax state economies--vividly demonstrating the adverse impact of a public policy measure our current Governor adamantly supports. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3307 Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's deputy chief of staff, Carla Oglesby, has been accused of rigging contracts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3298 Like many states, Illinois faces severe budget problems resulting from the economic recession. Illinois’s budget problems are made worse by the massive cost of its Medicaid program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3289 Proposed pension reforms in France are being called "unjust" by unions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3290 With the Chicago Mayoral race heating up, so too is talk about the City’s $500M annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3292 Time is dwindling to submit your papers for the Collegiate Liberty Award! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3295 According to a new survey, anyone walking down Lake Street between Damen and Western has a 1 in 4 chance of being a victim of a crime. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3297 The former White House chief of staff--and current Chicago mayoral hopeful--has some awkward moments with busy commuters. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3232 All the news you need to know for the week of September 27. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3288 Over 50 people packed the Wallingford Center at the Best Western Clock Tower Resort in Rockford, IL. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3282 Two Illinois events illustrate radical and peaceful - immature and responsible - ways to work for change. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3283 A follow-up to a government foul up. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3285 Banking analyst, Meredith Whitney, predicts fiscal calamity for Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3273 Be aware. Be very aware. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3274 Cato ranks the governors - ours fails. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3275 Yesterday I expressed concern that the governor's office issued some questionable advice to schools, asking them to spend their federal allocations between now and November - advice that was offered without the input of the State Board of Education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3276 Education researcher Jay Greene: "Our ideas for school reform are now the one’s that elites and politicians are considering and they have soundly rejected the old ideas of more money, more money, and more money." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3277 My opinion: 71 percent of education professors are dismissing the greatest opportunity in decades to improve teaching in public schools. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3278 Some Governors have adjusted to the economic realities of the last few years better than others. How has our Governor responded? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3279 New Cook County Coalition fights back against job-killing property taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3280 Mark Cavers and I recap latest events on the Illinois Turnaround Tour. In this post we talk about an unfortunate Northbrook resident who can no longer grow tomatoes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3281 Last night, I watched John Stossel's special report that aired on FoxNews last Saturday called The Battle for the Future. The battle, as Stossel sees it, is between too ideologies: one that wants less government, and the other that wants more. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3261 Could the governor's decision to spend federal education money before November be related to politics? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3262 Make sure to thank your elected officials for letting you keep some of your income. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3263 Michael Barone suggests that America is in a stage of political tug-of-war. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3264 The Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago has put together a terrific analysis of the problem on their microsite, www.illinoisisbroke.com. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3268 The UK considers paying citizens pounds to lose a few pounds. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3269 730 employees of Illinois Dept. of State Police made over $100,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3271 If I made a list of the things I loved most in this world, LOL Cats and Ayn Rand are probably 1-2. Despite that being not even remotely true, I still liked this picture plenty. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3272 Why are online marketing affiliates under attack in Illinois? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3245 New York City public schools are seen in honest but harsh light in a new film, Waiting for Superman. Yet the head of NYC schools is a fan. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3246 The Today Show recently interviewed President Obama about America's education system. Listen here for the President's thoughts on education, teachers' unions, and "Waiting for Superman." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3247 Mercatus Center Senior Research Fellow Veronique de Rugy provides a chart showing the changes in federal and private annual wages this decade. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3248 Over the last decade, Americans have steadily moved to states with lower taxes and fewer regulations on businesses. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3249 The Fox News Chicago investigation found improperly sized traffic signal lights in Oak Forest and Homewood. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3250 Here's an eye-opening breakdown of how possible tax increases coming next year could affect everyone, not only "the rich." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3252 I actually don't see why this couldn't work. Fool proof plan. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3257 The poverty level in Illinois increased 24 percent over the past decade -- to 13.3 percent in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3258 Great cartoon from the Tribune's Scott Stantis. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3259 How to introduce some good old-fashioned capitalism into your fantasy football league. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3260 Cook County property tax bills are being sent out after the election this fall. Are there political reasons for the late date? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3182 All the news you need to know for the week of September 20th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3231 Class envy rears its ugly head again, showing the down side for the low income worker. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3233 Hollywood loves to blame capitalism for murder, theft and other horrible deeds, but what are the real results of capitalism? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3235 The U.S. administration runs with another ill-considered plan that raises the burden on businesses and pushes more jobs overseas. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3236 An audience erupts into laughter as a Missouri congressman declares Social Security "stable." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3237 If the media loves Obama how can he be so unpopular? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3241 In this week's New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell examines what social media tools like Facebook and Twitter can (and can't) do. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3242 According to a new CDC report, you're likely not...and that calls for government action. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3243 The post office continues to lose money and customers, but that doesn't stop it from wanting to raise prices. Why can't the post office turn a profit? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3240 In Washington, D.C., talking without a license can land you in jail for 90 days. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3244 While traditional political organizations have a top down hierarchy structure, the leaderless "starfish" tea party is well structured for rapid response and adaptations for effective political activism. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3225 Governor Quinn on a Leash. Great cartoon from the SJ-R. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3227 During the 2008 election, then candidate Obama let slip with Joe the Plummer that he wanted to spread the wealth around a little bit. His policies since have made it quite clear that he is a dedicated redistributionist. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3223 Chicago's newest gung ho education reformer is dedicating an entire episode to the topic - for the second time this week. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3222 The fourth R is righteous environmentalism. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3228 A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports shows "seventy-five percent (75%) of voters prefer free markets over a government managed economy." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3229 News recently broke that charter schools make up 6 of the top 10 scoring open enrollment high schools in Chicago. Similar news now comes from Los Angeles. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3230 Some Republicans in Congress have expressed concern Democrats in Congress will use the lame duck session after the November election to push through controversial legislation such as Cap and Trade and Card Check. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3209 New financial regulations that are meant to protect consumers are actually making them worse off. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3210 A school voucher program has to turn students away in Ohio, thanks to state law. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3211 A new product can make note taking useful. No more conflict - pay close attention or take detailed notes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3212 Policy changes lives, and good policy will change Illinois for the better. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3218 What is the job of the lieutenant governor? The two major candidates, Jason Plummer and Sheila Simon, admit it’s really what you make of it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3217 The deal is wrong on so many counts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3221 A feature from the Chicago Tribune highlights the Chicagoans on the Forbes 400 list. Why don't we have anyone higher than 60? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3220 A quick glance at this new music video from OK GO would suggest that a major theme (if you're a nerd like me) of it is the benefits of planning. Every move is intricately coordinated, and it yields magnificent results—planning works! But look deeper... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3199 A plurality of Americans (43 percent) believe government programs increase poverty in America. Check out these interesting results from a recent poll by Rasmussen Reports. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3204 Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell has decided on a different approach to dealing with the economic downturn. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3200 The 'burbs are the place to be when it comes to November 2010. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3201 The Governor's Office of Management and Budget doesn't impress the state's Auditor General. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3202 The Daily Show exposes union hypocrisy in this priceless--and amusing--video. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3203 The worst possible news for President Obama is that the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday that the downturn ended in June of 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3206 Citing liability costs, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn says he has stopped delivering babies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3208 The Illinois Turnaround Tour will be visiting Collinsville on September 23rd and Peoria on September 24th. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3196 Charter schools in Chicago turned in 6 of the top 10 scores on the ACT last year, according to the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3186 Illinois's pumping out interest checks for as little as 3 cents. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3187 The new documentary "Waiting for Superman" got the biggest possible plug yesterday - a full hour discussion on Oprah. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3188 Governor Quinn makes stunning public employee labor union concessions just as he happens to receive their campaign endorsement. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3189 Mercatus Center Research Fellow Matt Mitchell compares the actual decline in states’ spending from 2009 to 2010 and the sustained cuts in state and local spending necessary to close the gap between spending and revenues over the next 50 years. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3190 Find out how many jobs your district will lose because of tax hikes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3191 Major health insurers are dropping new child-only policies rather than comply with the new health care rules on the horizon. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3194 Check out John Trever's "Incentive" cartoon. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3183 Across the pond, that question has become very real. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3184 In a Pennsylvania School district, students take to the woods after protesting their teachers' contract demands. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3181 Legislators are tweeting over at TweetIllinois.org about what is keeping them busy this fall. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3175 Most people want their own taxes low, but many Americans are willing to tax the rich. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3177 Should the governor's mansion stay or should it go? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3156 All the news you need to know for the week of September 13th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3179 Central Illinois's newest charter school held an open house last night. The Institute's Collin Hitt drove up from Springfield to check it out. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3180 Come hear the Illinois Policy Institute present at Right Nation 2010 Activist Training Conference. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3178 C.S. Lewis provides today's dose of inspiration. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3164 Commit to holding an up-or-down vote on extending all of the Bush tax cuts ASAP, Speaker Pelosi. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3165 It's time to end subsidies for Amtrak's first class sleeper car service. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3166 Where's the money going? A lot of it is heading out of Illinois. Check out the Tax Foundation's state-to-state money migration data to find winners and losers from the 50 states. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3168 Everyone has an opinion on Tuesday's Delaware primary results. Is the GOP at war, or is something else in play? Check out a roundup of TV news and late night takes here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3169 The Tax Foundation released a telling interactive tool tracking state net migration numbers. Where are Illinoisans going? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3170 Check out Steve Kelley's political cartoon. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3171 Tuesday night, John Tillman happened to be watching live when Karl Rove fulminated on the Christine O’Donnell win in the Delaware GOP Senate primary. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3161 Obama's economic agenda confuses helpful with unhelpful incentives. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3162 How many households receiving government benefits escape federal taxes? The answer would shock FDR. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3163 SUVs and environmental activism don't mesh. Sen. Harry Reid seems to have overlooked this minor detail. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3158 State government isn't the only one trying to dig deeper into your wallet. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3160 Illinois remains at a similar employment level to that after the 2001 recession. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3155 Professor Lachman of the AEI discusses how emerging economies' will have a growing impact in the global market in part due to a relatively lower level of public debt than industrialized economies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3131 All the news you need to know for the week of September 6th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3153 Is the recall amendment on the fall ballot real reform or sham reform? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3154 When is socialism dead? When Mr. Castro says it is. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3152 Since the start of 2008, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger allegedly violated a ban on political hiring more than 150 times. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3146 According to reports, the Mayor's decision to bid adieu next year has already sparked a Chicago "circus." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3147 More great material from New Jersey Governor Christie...Check out this video showing his response to a teacher claiming he "lambastes" education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3150 The mayor's election in Chicago, if it's about anything, should be about policy. James Meeks understands that. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3145 Jon Stewart illustrates a national case of stimulus deja vu. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3149 Do you know how much you're paying for lobbyists? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3142 Section 1604 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (AARA) specifically prohibits funds from flowing to certain entertainment and recreation projects. Does a casino, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool count? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3143 Who is right? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3130 DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom has unveiled a $70 million capital plan with bond projects ranging from improvements to roads and campus grounds, creating bike trails and planting trees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3137 The Administration will come to regret those stimulus propaganda signs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3138 Illinois state government is losing voter confidence. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3129 Would raising user fees stop state parks from closing? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3127 Small businesses and job creation stand to lose if tax cuts expire. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3106 All the news you need to know for the week of August 30th. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3124 The Illinois Policy Institute has received yet more recognition for our timely, incisive work in education reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3125 the federal government announced The US DOE announced the final $350M in awards that it'll be handing out for Race to the Top. This time, the Department of Education is funding multi-state initiatives to develop better standardized testing models. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3123 The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has been racking up some interesting credit card expenses, including meals at steakhouses, luxury hotel stays, and a chartered evening cruise on the Chicago river. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3128 What did you pay Gov. Blagojevich in 2009? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3121 Questionable advice from a departing White House economist. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3117 Daley proposes the merger of several city departments to cut down costs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3119 A Highland Park Liberty Leader says he was barred from a public meeting by school district officials in order to keep details of a costly referendum from the public. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3122 Get on Board with the Illinois Turnaround Tour. If you think Illinois is heading in the wrong direction—and if you want to turn this state around—you're not alone. A film by Tom Buttaccio - An Illinois Policy Institute Production. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3114 A new study finds that middle school students do significantly worse than kids enrolled in schools that run, K through 8, all the way to high school. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3115 Why was Quincy's police chief named Nanny of the Month by Reason.tv? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3111 The group Americans for Tax Reform takes Governor Pat Quinn to task for his constantly-shifting tax hike plans. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3113 Since 1950, private spending has increased 5-fold while state and local government spending has increased nearly 10-fold. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3109 Illinois voters sound fed up! Recent polls released by the Illinois Policy Institute and Rasmussen Reports reveal similar findings. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3110 Illinois state government is saving money by taking a closer look at office building leases. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3105 Illinois has some bad habits, and they're getting expensive...to the tune of $550 million a year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3107 A recent Chicago Reader article highlights confusion among Chicago’s restaurants in regards to the recent Cook County Sales tax reduction and a myriad of different taxing districts within the city. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3108 Liberty Leader Nancy Thorner has been asking elected officials to sign the pledge and so far has collected 3 new signatures. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3100 Daley won't raise taxes to balance the budget. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3101 Colorado's Right to Health Care Choice citizens amendment would accomplish two hugely important steps to protect Coloradans from the ongoing takeover of health care by government, and to make Colorado a “sanctuary state” for quality health care. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3099 Did electoral politics factor into a $4 billion federal education grant program? Some people think so. Yet Illinois didn't get a dime. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3104 Check out this handy tool from the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA). They have created a pamphlet, called "What Does Health Reform Mean for You?," which explains the new legislation’s major points in a succinct and unbiased way. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3085 All the news you need to know for the week of August 23. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3098 Blago's tale as told by Japanese anime artists. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3090 Be sure to check out this animated documentary that takes a critical look at government spending and where the country is headed if action is not taken to curb it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3091 "Where are the new jobs?" asks John Stossel in his article today. Why aren't businesses hiring? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3092 Here's an interesting chart from the Mercatus Center's Veronique de Rugy, who has examined different states' unemployment at the time The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed and the stimulus funds each state has received so far. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3093 Chicago Public Schools has announced that it is moving forward with a new plan to extend the school day at select elementary schools by using online learning technology. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3094 We know that Chicago charter schools outperform other public schools in the district, but a new report says that Chicago is doing less than other cities to expand on that success. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3095 The state is behind in paying its vendors, local school districts, and now...Illinois businesses waiting for their tax refunds. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3096 Illinois's public pension plans are selling assets to cover benefits. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3089 Spotlight on Spending #9: The State Un-Fair has produced some questions we'd like to address. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3083 Despite the threats of layoffs and a bleeding budget, teachers will not forego a raise. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3084 Does Illinois need a state comptroller and a state treasurer? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3076 So how's that stimulus working out for you? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3077 Illinois has borrowed $2.2 billion to keep the unemployment benefit fund solvent. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3078 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged the state of New Jersey with lying and withholding information to investors in billions of dollars worth of municipal bond deals. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3061 The news you need to know for the week of August 16. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3070 Online learning has served a niche role in public education...so far. A new group is forming to make 21st century technology commonplace in America's education system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3073 From The American Culture: In case you missed it, LA Times reporters used California’s public records law to obtain seven years of math and English test scores from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The story was an eye-opener. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3072 $3.4 million dollars to build a pedestrian tunnel for construction workers under a Florida road. Is that real? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3074 Betsy Hart writes about the "myth of underpaid teachers" in today's Sun-Times. Hart discusses the facts, explaining how "the average teacher makes over $60,000 a year," how it's higher in Chicago at $70,000, and "some make over $100,000 a year." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3075 R. Eden Martin, president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, offers some solutions to the critical pension problem facing Illinois in today's Wall Street Journal. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3069 Watch this video for the latest from the Wall Street Journal's Senior Editorial Writer Joseph Ragoon covering a recent meeting of state insurance regulators discussing the President's health care plan. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3067 The McLean County Chamber of Commerce invites Scott Hodge of the Tax Foundation to explore the Illinois economy and where it is headed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3062 Could you afford to see your taxes double? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3032 The news you need to know for the week of August 9th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3060 Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center recently produced an excellent graphical illustration of the job growth/loss in the United States since the Recovery Act was passed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3045 A clout hiring scandal in Chicago's Department of Transportation has lead to the suspension of an engineering technician and the resignation of a Deputy Commissioner. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3000 A nice neighborhood + state of the art school facilities may not equal a quality education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3044 Congress bails out the unaffordable status quo, for now. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3041 Scott Stantis illustrates the tax holiday tease http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3042 Project funded by your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3036 Dennis Byrne's column poses some interesting questions about the Illinois state pension system -- namely, if it goes belly up, will taxpayers be on the hook for paying those benefits? A new analysis says NO. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3037 How did the members of Illinois's congressional delegation vote on the ill-crafted state government/union boss bailout? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3038 A Cook County job training program is under scrutiny after an audit brought questionable spending to light. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3031 Illinois Senator Dick Durbin co-sponsors union pension bailout bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3001 The news you need to know for the week of August 2. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3030 Congress is on its way to passing a $26 billion bailout of state and local government overspending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3022 The State of Illinois hired 33 locksmiths in calendar year 2008 for $1,786,125 in combined total wages http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3025 With oil spill in the gulf, the economy in shambles, midterm elections approaching, and season two of Jersey Shore ongoing...is there really nothing better for the media to talk about than Chelsea Clinton's wedding? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3027 Chicago ranks the worst when it comes to local taxes that impact business travelers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3029 Illinois’s budget is required to be balanced by constitutional mandate, right? Then why has the budget been balanced only 15 of the 41 years between 1970 and 2010? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3028 The White House's latest promotional video for financial reform--funded by your tax dollars--has some curious factual omissions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3019 Is the Volt a boondoggle? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3016 Our next door neighbors in Missouri overwhelmingly passed a significant ballot measure yesterday that takes aim at the unconstitutional individual mandate requirement in the federal health care takeover. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3018 Spending tax dollars to study soda tax hikes. Stimulating? No. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3015 The State of Illinois hired 33 clinical psychologists in calendar year 2008 for $2,516,451 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3020 CNN Money unveils a state-by-state map of government indebtedness. Guess who's leading the pack? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3011 UofC’s Harald Uhlig provides sound research divergent to Mark Zandi’s pro-spending multipliers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3012 According to the Chicago Tribune, a new Congressional report called “Summertime Blues” shows stimulus funding has gone to buy iPods for high school students, cell phones for smokers trying to quit, and advertising for the stimulus itself. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3008 What the expiring Bush tax cuts and Quinn's tax hike would mean for the average Illinois family. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3009 The State of Illinois hired 107 electricians in fiscal year 2008 for $7,370,091 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3005 The Illinois Department of Human Services hired ten nutritionists in fiscal year 2008 for $543,117 in combined total wages. The average salary for a nutritionist was $54,311 while the highest paid nutritionist took home a $65,165 salary. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3006 A must see keynote from George Will. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3007 The costs of compensation for government workers continue to strain budgets, and until government opens up to more competition, "so agencies are pressured to keep compensation reasonable," government budget deficits will not go away. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3002 The Institute for Justice recently released a 50-state report called "Policing for Profit" on civil forfeiture laws. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=3003 Our friends at the Center for Fiscal Accountability reported Sen. Tom Coburn's Earmark Transparency bill passed out of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with bipartisan support last week. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2997 Ald. Waguespack introduced an ordinance on Wednesday that would allow mobile food trucks to prepare food on-site. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2999 Snooki has words for our President about the 10% tax on indoor tanning. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2962 The news you need to know for the week of July 26. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2996 The News-Gazette sounded a warning today with regards to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), reacting to the efforts to weaken FOIA some have already attempted. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2970 Leading lawmakers from both parties, including Governor Pat Quinn, step forward to support the Institute's recent work on fiscal transparency. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2983 An audit of 12 government agencies in the Hanover Township area revealed that only the township government itself received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2989 Cook County paid out $175K in contracts before learning whether or not they would receive federal grants to reimburse the costs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2991 Timeless argument that demonstrates the power of Friedman's ideas when statists argue that free enterprise has failed. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2994 Governor Christie takes on critics and calls the 35,000 teachers union rally a me-first rally. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2988 Cook County will now provide a searchable online database regarding lobbyists' activities, according to the Daily Herald. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2986 The State of Illinois hired 910 registered nurses in fiscal year 2008 for $62,742,469 in combined total wages. The average salary was $68,947 while the highest paid registered nurse made $188,009. The Bureau of Labor Statistics website shows the mean sala http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2987 Only District 54, Schaumburg, District 211, and Hoffman Estates perform well on basic online transparency guidelines. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2981 Glenview, Northfield Park District, Glencoe School District 35, and Sunset Ridge District 29 score well on transparency audit. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2985 District 211 is the only government unit to pass a 10-point transparency test in the Palatine Township area. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2984 Though Illinois' problems may be equating our state with California and New York, we have some things that our uniquely our own--our colorful political history.  http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2982 No government agencies within the Barrington Township area meet basic transparency standards. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2969 The State of Illinois hired 22 receptionists in fiscal year 2008 for $657,353.22 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2971 Gov. Quinn has made an amendatory veto to HB5141, which called for the exemption of all public employee performance evaluations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2959 Much of what we in the public know is not true. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2960 If Superintendent Michelle Rhee has her way, special needs students in the nation's capital will receive school vouchers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2961 The Illinois Department of State Police hired 8 polygraph examiners in fiscal year 2008 for a total of $667,324.10 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2963 San Diego's beach drinking ban offers a case study in the law of unintended consequences. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2964 Henrik Rasmussen has been nominated for the Irreverent Messenger award based on his recent Chicago Tribune Op-Ed titled, “Cause for optimism about America’s future: An immigrant’s tale”. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2967 The signing of the bill to reduce unnecessarily burdensome regulations on hair braiders is a small but necessary step in making Illinois a better place to start and operate a business. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2966 Britain's nationalized health service plans drastic cuts to basic services. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2968 Some insurance companies in Florida will no longer provide individual coverage for children. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2912 The news you needed to know during the week of july 19th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2948 The new University of Illinois President and his top aide are pulling down big salaries despite the tough economic situation the University is in. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2951 The Office of the State Appellate Defender hired six social historians in fiscal year 2008 for $278,278 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2952 Beware of the Shower Police... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2957 Gov. Quinn took down the tollway signs that read "Open Road Tolling—Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor" when he stepped in as Governor. Yet, Quinn's decision didn't compel other state officials to stop "using government funds for self-promotion." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2955 Are Chicago's traffic control aides worth the cost? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2956 The state budget for fiscal year 2011 included $750 million of federal funding for Medicaid, but now it is unlikely the state will received any of this assumed funding. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2958 Some Chicago area students are taking action to improve education in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2933 Is a $4 billion dollar "stimulus" project for high speed rail between Chicago and St. Louis worth the cost? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2939 The Senate Majority Leader is apparently a little confused about the government's role in a supposed bailout of Ford. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2946 Businesses need a reason to invest. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2947 Because apparently our government needs a law to say we shouldn't be spending $50 billion dollars on "dead people, fugitives and those in jail who shouldn't be getting benefits." Which of the first two is worse? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2919 Illinois produces more electricity from nuclear energy than China, but while they're building new plants we can't. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2921 Reason magazine turns in a great piece for anyone looking for a primer on the politics and polices affecting online learning in public schools. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2926 Echoes of FDR? A little-known provision slipped into the health care bill tracks private gold ownership. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2923 Something strange is going on with American unemployment...and the current "fixes" don't seem to be working. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2924 At a June 14th committee meeting resident Darlene Heslop was asked to leave after rolling her eyes and sighing during a discussion about the city hiring a state lobbyist. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2931 A refeshing interview with Indiana Budget Director Christopher Ruhl. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2930 Is this the economic development we can expect from high-speed rail? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2932 Oregon raises taxes, but their budget situation deteriorates. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2909 Texas takes the prize as the best state for business in America, while Illinois loses ground. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2914 Chances are you've seen an article about ObamaCare pop up in your magazines of choice lately. Chances are the articles gloss over the major problems inherent in the federal takeover of health care -- if they're not a straight out endorsement. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2920 Niall Ferguson offers an in-depth look at our economic situation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2915 The Obama Administration is now arguing that the individual mandate is a tax in the court of law. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2916 Governor Quinn announced that construction on the high-speed rail route from Chicago to St. Louis would begin in September 2010. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2917 The State of Illinois spent $6,795 on the "printing of pens" in fiscal year 2009 by Global Printing and Graphics. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2911 Could fiscal tough times accelerate the pace of education reform? At least one education scholar thinks so. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2913 The State of Illinois hired 18 dental assistants in fiscal year 2008 for a total of $677,595 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2907 Over $11 million from the State of Illinois went to vendors located in Cincinnati, Ohio in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2908 Despite Illinois's dire pension system, which includes police, fire and public-sector employees, boosting public employee salaries shortly before retirement in order to put them on a path to a bigger and better retirement package has turned into common pr http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2904 Strikers go back to work on a Naperville school, but not before imposing serious costs on suburban taxpayers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2905 Illinois is borrowing money it will have to repay eventually to repay the pension money it already spent to pay for other spending it couldn’t afford then and can’t afford now. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2906 The State sold $900 Million in Build America Bonds Wednesday, and on face the bonds will pay investors an average interest rate of 6.96 percent. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2827 The news you need to know for July 16th, 2010. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2902 That according to a leading American business guru and an expert on online learning, at Forbes.com. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2875 Legislators can't say they were not warned. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2885 The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the states have spent a total of around $5 million of stimulus funds on signs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2887 As the Dodd-Frank financial bill edges its way through Congress (bringing 243 new federal rules along with it, according to the Wall Street Journal), financial uncertainty continues to rise. Columnist Charles Krauthammer spells out the costs of that unc http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2889 A high number of Chicago area school teachers earned at least $100,000 last year, the Chicago Tribune reports. In areas like Highland Park and Deerfield, nearly half of the teachers brought home six-figure salaries. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2899 The State of Illinois hired 9 nuclear safety inspectors in fiscal year 2008 for $635,997 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2890 The State of Illinois paid 12 Benefit Counselors $679,791 in combined total wages in fiscal year 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2891 A Romanian model offers some novel political suggestions to improve her country's image. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2892 A court-appointed watchdog group claims Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is “using the county payroll to reward those who backed his failed re-election effort and punish those who did not,” the Chicago Tribune reports. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2894 Challenger cites vagueness of Illinois law and its discriminatory exemption for labor unions as violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2895 Between June 2011 and January 2012, unionized state workers are scheduled to receive a total of 7.25 percent in cost of living adjustments. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2896 State support of public universities may not offer the best example of a healthy relationship between state funding and institutional action. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2897 Local Politicians petition Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to bail out a Chicago bank. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2898 Bill Gates, Joel Klein on teacher pensions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2872 A new report from the Cato Institute spells out exactly what ObamaCare will mean for you. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2873 The LA Times writes that Canada's economy can teach the U.S. a thing or two. Well, yes. But is it all good? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2876 Refreshing: soda. Not refreshing: soda taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2877 When it comes to taxing "bad" foods, where do we draw the line? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2881 The State of Illinois hired four breath alcohol analysis technicians for a total of $241,878 in combined total wages in fiscal year 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2884 Great video from Reason on why LeBron James abandoned the mistake on the lake. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2862 Why are governments in the red? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2863 Global opinions on the benefits of the free market show signs of hope http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2864 California's high-speed rail debacle may be instructive for Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2865 The State of Illinois hired 43 chaplains in fiscal year 2008 for $2,417,084.46 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2867 The news you need for July 13th http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2871 Fox Chicago News takes a closer look at a taxpayer-funded social service agency that likes to hire family members. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2861 The Sun-Times reports that more than 10% of Metra employees last year made at least $20,000 in overtime pay. Total overtime pay in 2009 reached nearly $20 million. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2860 The State of Illinois hired two housekeepers in fiscal year 2008 for $56,309.31 in combined total wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2853 A recent Rasmussen survey reveals that “most Americans report their state currently has a budget crisis, and they continue to blame politicians more than taxpayers for the problem.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2854 New Jersey Governor Chrisitie's administration has put out a 57-page report identifying areas where government services could be privatized in order to save tax dollars -- 210 million dollars a year, to be exact. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2855 The State of Illinois hired 215 motor vehicle cashiers in fiscal year 2008 for a total of $6,722,279.25 in combined total wages and an average annual salary of $31,266.41. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2856 “It’s more than rainy, it’s a monsoon.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2857 Thousands of blue recycling carts totaling nearly $1 million in value are sitting idle in a warehouse in Chicago, the Sun-Times reports. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2858 We’re about to send a nice postcard mailing to our supporters about the Illinois Turnaround Plan. Needing a bunch of stamps for our postcards, I went to the nearest U.S. Post Office, walked in, and ordered $800 dollars worth of stamps. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2859 We've been hearing lots about how giving money to unemployed folks creates jobs (or not) over the past few days. But how much, exactly, do these benefits cost? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2830 Who loves you, baby? The government? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2840 Allstate CEO, Thomas Wilson, calls government spending at the federal, state and local level "out of control." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2847 America is a great country, full of wonderful people…but we should probably beef up on history classes. Last weekend, Jay Leno took a quick walk to find out how much his fellow Americans really know about Independence Day. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2848 Broken promises from a governor who last year promised to "cut, cut, cut" state government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2845 What does Gov. Daniels suggest reading? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2850 Government continues to grow. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2831 Implications of the Financial Reform Bill anticipated to pass the Senate next week http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2832 Who would've guessed that I'd have learned something from watching Aliens vs. Predator 2? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2835 Thirteen new legislators are on TweetIllinois.og http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2841 Do smarter cars make us less responsible drivers? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2836 $4.712 billion: Illinois's bill backlog at the end of June 2010. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2837 State and local government employees have enjoyed a greater improvement in compensation levels than private sector employees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2839 The State of Illinois gave a $15,000 grant in fiscal year 2006 to the Chicago Park District "for the installation of two stall type batting cages at Jackie Robinson Park" in Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2825 A dozen Cook County contracts are currently under investigation, and two of the contracts are with businesses that are not registered with the state or county. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2826 The State of Illinois paid 5 inhalation therapists $170,935.86 in fiscal year 2008 in combined total wages, with the highest paid therapist making $43,824. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2828 "Decadent" Western haircuts--including the infamous mullet--are now banned in Iran. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2829 The Associated Press reports "Governor Quinn has given his staff 43 raises averaging 11.4 percent since he became governor." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2789 The biggest and most pressing stories. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2819 Today Quinn announces $155 million in cuts to appropriations for fiscal year 2011. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2823 Why is Governor Quinn comparing his cuts to last year's spending? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2824 More evidence that vouchers work. More calls for their passage in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2815 Many Illinois government employees are set to receive a pay raise today--even as the state budget is billions of dollars out of balance. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2817 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave $25,000 to the Chicago Park District for the renovation of a spray pool. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2818 In a bit of good news the arrival of July 1st, 2010 marked a drop in the Cook County sales tax rate. The Cook County portion of the sales tax (1.75%) dropped ˝ a percentage point to 1.25%. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2820 The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program wasted $100 million paying electric bills for people who were dead, in prison or not eligible for the program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2822 Property owners on State Street in Chicago are on the hook for the installation of the EYE, a giant eyeball designed by artist Tony Tasset. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2799 Since 2000, Chicago's budget has increased 11.6% while population has remained fairly stable. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2800 Do we all want the same thing for the nation? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2803 Questions are surrounding the nearly half a million dollar salary of Bellwood's Roy McCampbell. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2804 Lack of oversight in Chicago TIF process, surprised? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2806 The State of Illinois paid 11 meat & poultry inspector supervisors $616,597.87 in fiscal year 2008 in combined total wages, with the highest paid supervisor making $61,633. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2807 Five key employees of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) have combined to spend more than $300,000 on travel since fiscal year 2005. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2810 Meet Nancy Thorner, one of the most prolific letter-to-the-editor writers in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2808 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2809 Congratulations to all of the Liberty Leaders whose work has been recognized across the state of Illinois during the month of June! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2812 The Chicago City Council has approved the construction of the city's second Wal-Mart. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2814 The cost of borrowing has reached record highs for Illinois, but that hasn't stopped the state government from planning more and more borrowing. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2794 "Stop Spending!" CNBC reporter Rick Santelli (of "Tea Party" rant fame) offers some sound advice to the government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2795 Well, some of them at least. Here's a way to get out of paying all those new taxes then-candidate Obama promised wouldn't exist. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2796 The State of Illinois paid 41 public administration interns $736,463.01 in fiscal year 2008 in combined total wages, with the highest paid intern making $52,914. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2797 Increase borrowing and taxes to expand employment in an already bloated public sector will destroy even more private sector jobs and will not lead our economy to a recovery. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2798 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2801 Charter lotteries - fulfilling choices and breaking hearts - are becoming more popular on screen and across Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2775 At the upcoming G8 and G20 meetings we get to see how silly many of the protesters are. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2790 Illinois's credit ratin has only been downgraded 17 times in its entire history, most coming in the last 8 years of Democrat leadership. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2793 How is Illinois spending its Medicaid dollars? Taxpayers could soon find out thanks to a new law championed by Rep. Patti Bellock and the Illinois Policy Institute. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2792 While legislators left Springfield at the end of May without a plan to pay for the required $4 billion pension payment next year or the current backlog of $6 billion of unpaid bills, they did pass a 2,134 page bill full of appropriations. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2754 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2786 When government censorship goes awry. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2787 How much would it cost to close the US budget deficit? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2788 The State of Illinois paid 28 Liquor Control Special Agents $1,418,421 in fiscal year 2008 in combined total wages, with the committee chairman making $56,695.71. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2776 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave an $873,700 grant to “produce the larger nuts and bolts used in construction of wind turbines.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2779 Updated results from a global survey on the impact of free market economies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2780 A new Rasmussen poll has some startling results. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2768 Are Illinois's public universities about to join to the league of extraordinary borrowers? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2767 The Pelican Institute’s Fergus Hodgson reports on the importance of anti-ObamaCare legislation that passed this week in Louisiana. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2770 Austerity measures hit merry old England...while the U.S. government pleads for more spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2774 Check out this really funny video from the Australian Broadcast Company. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2772 Inmates--some sentenced for life-- receive thousands in tax credits to buy new homes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2773 The State of Illinois paid 30 fingerprint technicians $1,457,511.64 in fiscal year 2008 in combined total wages, with the highest paid technician making $52,494. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2759 Only when Illinois starts evaluating every item of spending, whether it's necessary and the best use of taxpayers' money, will the state have a chance at turning around it's budget situation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2760 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $400,000 grant to “provide solar thermal collectors to be installed on a meat packing factory roof." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2761 Illinois has overtaken California as the worst credit risk among American states. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2763 Who you should root for at the World Cup. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2764 The worst problem affecting America's cities is the nationwide dropout pandemic. Guess what was just proven to help in a big way? School choice. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2765 I went to Chicago and all I got were these lousy taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2766 The State of Illinois spent almost $2 million to employ vocational instructors to serve in prisons during 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2747 Let's compare government health care to private dentistry in Canada, our canary in the health care mine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2753 Just because money is spent doesn't mean it is spent well. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2755 What are state legislators in Mississippi thinking? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2756 On Thursday June 17th, the Illinois Policy Institute conducted a conference call to discuss its new citizen's guide: "Bargaining for Better Schools: An Introduction to Collective Bargaining in Illinois Public Education". http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2757 Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wants to claim that he's focused on job creation, but the results point in the other direction. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2758 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $750,000 grant to “construct a High School Basketball Hall of Fame." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2729 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2750 Commentary: if there was no teacher tenure, then there'd be no argument for teacher tenure. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2752 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave an $83,400 grant to “increase public awareness of the benefits of Illinois coal.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2746 Why do we have such high taxes on people who want nothing more than to visit and spend lots of money here? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2745 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $45,000 grant to buy a tour boat. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2748 Yet another innovative use for online learning in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2749 Illinois Department of Transportation paid employees over $2 million in wages to work a free ferry service in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2743 BillTally provides a window into the cumulative costs or savings present in bills sponsored by Members of Congress. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2741 Conference call discussing how Illinois taxpayers can become more involved in the public education collective bargaining process and promote online transparency for local government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2740 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave over $83,000 in grants for costs associated with the production and showing of a film about Daniel Burnham. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2737 Illinois state pensions have millions invested in British Petroleum. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2738 A study finds that the Illinois pension system will be out of money by 2018. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2739 Illinois continues to impose a high minimum wage rate, putting itself at another disadvantage and giving businesses and entrepreneurs one more reason to leave Illinois and set up shop elsewhere. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2736 An interactive migration map from Forbes helps us understand Illinois's population migration. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2734 Our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, shows the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $300,000 in grants for costs associated with the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2733 It's expensive preventing trumped up mass layoffs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2725 What is a “green job”? Not sure? Neither is the federal government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2735 Did you know that the federal government spent $2.6 million training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2726 Obama still thinks that his health care bill will save money. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2728 New leadership vows to battle testing, charter schools, and the district's budget balancing plan. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2730 Why does home field advantage exist in soccer? And why does it matter to Illinois? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2731 In recent weeks there has been a lot of bad news surfacing for taxpayers when it comes to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2732 Bad news for Social Security. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2665 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2694 Illinois Legislators have the fifth highest salary in the nation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2701 New research: the GED has no resume value, but its misnomer as an "equivalent" credential might induce teenagers to needlessly leave high school. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2713 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $100,000 grant to help "with the costs associated with hosting the Canadian 4th of July Celebration." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2720 A new paper at the American Enterprise Institute finds that high employment benefits appear to deflate interest in higher education. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2721 The federal government is looking to disburse high-speed rail funds to Illinois. The result? Higher debt, maybe moderate speed rail, and people will still drive their cars. And a big catch for railroad companies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2723 Common-sense went a long way for the Blackhawks, and it can go a long way for the state as a whole. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2692 While most hockey fans in the Chicagoland area would’ve taken it during any game and in any city, some people apparently, would’ve rather the Hawks waited until game seven (in Chicago) to close it out. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2660 The warnings in Canada are becoming louder and more frequent. Are we listening? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2684 About that budget proposal from Gov. Quinn... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2695 In 2008, the State of Illinois employed almost 200 environmental protection engineers at a cost of over $13 million. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2691 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $50,000 to promote awareness of Chicago and Illinois in the Republic of Ireland. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2693 Cook County health panel has the ability to bring full reform the the County's health system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2696 Andrew G. Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, disputes a recent study that claims state and local government workers are underpaid compared to similar private sector workers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2699 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2700 Snooki doesn't appreciate Obama's tax on tanning. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2679 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave a $16,698 grant in fiscal year 2009 to "Install a solar thermal energy system at the Phi Kappa Theta House" at NIU. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2680 What can Illinois learn from Texas? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2681 What is the best way for government to help people in need of jobs? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2682 Is America nearing the fiscal tipping point? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2683 Madeleine Sackler's "The Lottery" was shown as a one day event last night around the country. The film follows four Harlem families trying to win a lottery in order to gain admission to Harlem Success Academy, a high-achieving charter school in New York. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2675 A victory for Arizona taxpayers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2677 The Chicago Teachers Union sues to stop teacher layoffs, citing fire safety. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2686 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2661 Increasingly, people demand education reform that decreases the public system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2685 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2688 On Monday, the council agreed to publish on the city’s website all collective bargaining agreements with unions representing city employees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2673 Nationalized health care is sinking in popularity--but a new big-money PR initiative hopes to change all that. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2669 Left-leaning economist Jeffrey Sachs tells MSNBC that the simulus was all for naught. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2668 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $10,000 to restore a gas station on the historic Route 66 highway, hoping its location will promote tourism in the area. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2667 On June 2, nHealth, a Virgina-based health insurance company, sent a letter to its agents announcing that it will exit the health insurance market due to the “considerable uncertainties” created by ObamaCare. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2635 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2657 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2658 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $1,278.88 to promote advertising for “bed and breakfasts that specialize in chocolate-themed meals.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2659 The Illinois General Assembly wants to exempt public employee performance reviews from the Freedom of Information Act(FOIA). The Institute recently submitted FOIA requests to state agencies for performance reviews, and these are the responses we received. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2656 Illinois’s Tort Climate is the fourth worst in the country, following New Jersey, New York and Florida, according to the U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report from the Pacific Research Institute (PRI). http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2649 The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO) allocated $334,093.16 to fund a tourist attraction aimed at simulating an authentic Amish experience. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2650 An adjunct scholar for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy responds to a recent study which concludes that state and local government workers receive lower compensation than private sector workers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2651 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2652 Does the Lieutenant Governor need a $1.5 per year work force? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2642 In recent years, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association has received funding from three tourism grants totaling nearly $200,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2643 A friendly reminder to all school districts in Illinois... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2641 The achievements with Glenview, School District 54, and other government agencies demonstrates how easy improving transparency can be. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2601 Debt, Corruption, and Taxes http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2625 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2626 Government will grow. That is what it does. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2627 Government performance reviews should remain available to the public under Freedom of Information laws. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2629 In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Education disbursed $67,500 of a $75,000 grant to BLH Enterprises to help expand their electronic recycling program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2631 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2620 Illinois will likely be stuck with another unbalanced budget this year, thanks in large part to two retiring Republican legislators. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2624 In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave Peabody Investments Corp a $750,000 Coal Competitiveness Program grant. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2612 Public officials in Chicago act like its their own money... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2613 The Illinois House of Representatives fails to pass significant spending reforms. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2615 In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity disbursed $108,000 of a $120,000 grant to the Southern Recycling Center. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2616 Another botched Illinois government program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2617 In 2008, the State of Illinois spent almost two million dollars on 43 paralegal assistants. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2618 Two pieces of important legislation sent to Governor today. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2607 Stanley Cup Finals tickets are going for $500 to $10,000. Is this fair? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2608 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2609 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2610 In 2008, 32 employees at the Illinois Commerce Commission made over $100,000 in wages alone. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2611 The Illinois House of Representatives is considering plans to borrow our way out of the state's budget mess. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2593 Let's dip below the headline. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2600 When does political activism cross the line? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2602 Illinois's expanded "All Kids" audit reveals high costs and operational issues. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2603 Say hello to the Office of the Auditor General Inspector General. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2604 A report from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform found that taxpayers paid lobbyists nearly $6.4 million to influence their own state government last year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2573 Capitalism, Taxes and spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2588 Politically active people are happy people according to an Illinois study. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2595 Reason's Katherine Mangu-Ward explores a rather complicated brownie recipe. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2596 Great cartoon from the SJR. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2597 The Department of Transportation spent a total of $956K on the wages for deck hands in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2598 Call taker trainees received over $200,000 in wages in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2599 The Springfield Journal-Register ran a story on May 20 that indicated the Illinois Policy Institute would post public employee performance reviews on IllinoisOpenGov.org. That is not the case, and the paper ran a correction. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2591 In 2008, the Illinois State Board of Education spent $21.8 million on 335 consultants. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2560 It used to be private schools that did fund-raisers. Now it is the public. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2589 The average 2009 score for Illinois’s U.S. Representatives is a 33%, for our U.S. Senators it is 3%. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2592 In 2008, the State of Illinois Spent over 17 million dollars on wages for employees in training programs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2575 One of Obama's Czars thinks the Internet needs to be controlled. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2579 How about just letting us pay what we think it is worth? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2580 Is a tax bill that is 33 percent higher than usual inconsequential? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2582 Ten million Americans are covered by Health Savings Account-eligible insurance plans, an increase of 25 percent since last year, a new census released today by America’s Health Insurance Plans finds. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2583 Architects on the state payroll receive average annual wages of $84,335 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2584 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2587 The Teachers' Retirement System pays its employees over four million dollars more than the State Employees' Retirement System. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2576 Coin counting clerks working for the State Toll Highway Authority received average wages of $55,050 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2577 In 2008, the state of Illinois paid library staff over $6 million in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2574 In 2008, library technicians on the state payroll received average annual wages over 60% higher than the average annual wages of library technicians in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2551 Government Bailouts and Crony Capitalism. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2563 More warnings from Canada. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2568 Are the various levels of government helping or hurting the current economic situation? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2570 Illinois is ranked the 6th-worst place to do business in the country by Chief Executive magazine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2571 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2572 A quarter of a million dollars to plan the development of the Capitol. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2566 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2567 Court reporters on the state payroll in 2008 received average annual wages of $60,832 - 54% higher than the average annual wages of court reporters in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2561 Here we go again. Now it is global cooling that humans are causing. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2562 Welders working for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority received average annual wages 73% higher than the average for welders in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2557 In 2008, the Department of Human Services had a baker on their payroll receiving $34,628 in annual wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2558 Brian Costin, Director of Outreach at the Illinois Policy Institute, shepherded 25 volunteer Liberty Leaders securing meetings with their Illinois legislators and staff. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2559 In 2008, the State Universities Civil Service System paid its 18 employees over $800,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2536 Chicago is still a union - not a citizen - town. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2552 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2553 In 2008, the 9 landscape architects on the state payroll received wages that were almost $20,000 higher than the average annual wages for all landscape architects in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2541 Can you read 2,300 pages in just a few hours? There is no way Illinois state legislators are reading the entire budget before they go to vote on it. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2524 Vouchers, Government debt and corruption. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2534 A column I wrote for the Toronto Sun on whether the user of a service should kick in when money is tight. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2542 The Illinois Policy Institute’s Budget Solutions 2011 offers an alternative spending blueprint that addresses our state’s immediate problems rather than kicking the can further down the road. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2545 Tobacco tax hikes come with a number of significant policy complications. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2546 In fiscal year 2009, the DCEO gave the Consolidated Grain & Barge Co a $750K grant to expand their operations in Mound City, Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2547 The Transparency Pledge has received bi-partisan support with 6 Republicans and 5 Democrats signing the pledge since April 20th. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2533 Go on line and experience the thrill of playing with other people's money. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2538 Medicaid transparency (HB5241) has passed both Houses and now awaits a signature from the Governor. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2539 In fiscal year 2009, the DCEO gave $3.8 million to Illinois River Energy to expand their ethanol production facility in Rochelle, Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2540 In 2008, the Governor's Office employed a horticulturist who cost taxpayers $61,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2535 Quinn is back to shilling for a back-to-school tax holiday. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2531 In fiscal year 2009, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave International Coal Group, Inc a $1.6 million dollar grant as part of the Coal Competitiveness Program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2532 In 2008, the Governor's office employed numerous staff members to keep the residence up and running. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2521 Home health care workers have filed to get a Governor Quinn executive order rescinded. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2525 In 2008, the Governor's Office employed three butlers who each made over $2,500 per month. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2526 What good is a health insurance card if you can't get to see a doctor? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2497 Wage disparity, vouchers, and corruption http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2522 The answer isn't always a tax hike... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2523 Following up on a blog from yesterday, we found 54 more interns, include 5 who received more than $40,000 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2516 What will a 1,400 page banking bill do to improve the economy and the nation? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2520 Almost half the interns with the State of Illinois made over $10,000 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2508 Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. was wrong. Civilization predates taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2510 The latest tweets from legislators at TweetIllinois.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2511 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2512 In 2008, social workers in all of Illinois made 17% less, on average, than social workers employed by the State of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2496 For forty years now we have been told we have less than ten years to stop unavoidable global disaster. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2502 51K per hour total to 1,000 state employees http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2503 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Arts Council gave the Independent Feature Project of Chicago $22,760 in fiscal year 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2504 The media has been uncovering some interesting spending from Cook County’s newly launched check registry, such as this find from The Prairie Stater, which discovered $76,291 in checks paid to Elgin-based ACE Coffee Holdings, Inc. since December 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2507 If signed by Gov. Quinn, the Sunshine Commission would be a step in the right direction for Illinois, helping to get rid of wasteful spending and programs and assisting in establishing responsible spending and accountable government in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2440 Are you ready for a wind farm off the coast of Evanston? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2486 In 2008, pharmacists technicians employed by the State of Illinois made 25% more in wages than their private sector counterparts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2487 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2492 There is a disconnect in this report about health care costs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2495 Illinois citizens will have to wait until next year for more comprehensive reforms on red light cameras http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2480 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2481 In 2008, the state spent nearly $115,000 to provide tour guides at the State Capitol. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2482 There were 18 archivists on the state payroll in 2008, and they received average annual wages of $58,833. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2485 TweetIllinois.org isn't the only kid on the block any more. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2469 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2472 In 2008, there were two elevator operators on the state payroll receiving approximately $40K per year in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2471 In 2008, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency paid 1096 employees over $64 million in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2461 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2460 Cartoon blogging featuring Scott Stantis. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2462 Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission employees 36 individuals who each made over $100,000 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2465 Find out the average annual wages of a budget analyst on the state payroll here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2466 Ready for new Illinois taxes on plastic grocery bags, music downloads, and soda pop cans? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2467 HB5154 would threaten transparency in Illinois government by prohibiting the release of any public employee's performance evaluation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2468 Look closely, very closely. The real score on Quinn's plan: $900 million in spending reductions vs. $3.5 billion in tax hikes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2455 In 2008, switchboard operators on the state payroll made 29% more in wages on average than their counterparts in the rest of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2456 In 2008, the State of Illinois paid over one million dollars, in wages, to nine workers' compensation commissioners. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2457 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2458 Find the answer on TweetIllinois.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2453 How do Illinois's unemployment numbers compare to a year ago? Or jobs? Or state revenues? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2448 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2449 In 2008, the State of Illinois paid over half a million in dollars to individuals responsible for hiring and promoting state police officers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2452 The maze of Chicago Public Schools spending and the difficulties in figuring out exactly where all the tax dollars are going and why. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2451 Six good ideas for tackling the problem of spending beyond our means. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2442 In 2009, the Illinois Department of Aging spent over 300 thousand dollars on consultants. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2443 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2444 Rehabilitation counselors on the Illinois state payroll received average annual wages 63% higher than the average for all rehabilitation counselors in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2436 Clinical lab technicians on the state payroll receive average annual wages almost 37% higher than the average for all clinical lab technicians in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2433 Governor Quinn is expected to sign a bill that would reduce pension benefits for new state employees. It's a start to scaling a big mountain. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2434 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2435 In 2008, the Illinois Community College Board employed 53 employees with combined wages of almost 2.5 Million Dollars. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2437 Want to find out how Cook County is spending your tax dollars? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2425 With some Democrats fighting for their political future and the Republicans optimistic about the fall, the health care fight is far from over. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2427 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2428 State agencies spent more than $4 million on building and ground maintenance, with the Department of Military Affairs spending the most. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2429 The Village of Lindenhurst has cut 2 million dollars from its budget for next year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2431 In 2008, the Secretary of State employed 215 motor vehicle cashiers who were paid almost $7 million in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2432 A recorded message on one of the Comptroller's phone help lines warns that the state is currently processing vouchers within 140-145 business days. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2420 The reporting in the media of the Tea Party movement has been dishonest. (And don't let the nuts frame the debate.) http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2421 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2422 The State of Illinois spent over two million dollars on paying inspectors to check the weight of trucks in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2423 The DCEO paid out over half a million in recycling expansion and modernization program grants in fiscal year 2009. A majority of the disbursed funds went to two recipients. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2415 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2416 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2417 The average annual wages for cartographers and photogrammetrists on the IDOT payroll was almost 16% higher than the BLS average for all workers in Illinois with those job titles. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2419 Liberty Leader Richard Lorenc had a letter to the editor published in the online Wall Street Journal today. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2407 An Wall Street Journal editorial highlights the baby steps Illinois is taking toward enacting public employee pension reform. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2409 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2410 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2411 The State of Illinois spent over $4 million on wages for painters in 2008. The average annual wages for painters on the state payroll were over 26% higher than the average for all painters in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2412 6 government agencies made huge strides in transparency and together contributed to an additional $693 million in government spending being made available online for area taxpayers to examine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2413 More on the continuing series of how the Canadian health care system is a warning to America. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2388 A cartoon and a teachable moment for the children. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2393 Just when you think politicians could not be dumber. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2394 Ireland shows the way. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2398 In 2008, the State of Illinois paid its 43 dietitians and dietary managers over two million dollars in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2399 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2400 Andrzejewski believes $60 million forensic audit of state spending could save Illinois taxpayers $1.25 billion annually. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2401 Vendor wants payment upfront from Illinois state government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2402 Average annual wages for security guards on the state payroll in 2008 equaled $39,012, while the average annual wages for all security workers in Illinois came to $25,940. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2406 Illinois falls further behind in the 2010 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness review of the states. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2383 Obama uses a farming analogy to defend health care - and lays an egg. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2389 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2384 Political argument is not just necessary, it is vital. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2390 In 2008, the Illinois Circuit Courts paid its judges over $140 Million in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2391 In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity paid out over $640,000 in renewable energy resources program rebates to 91 individuals, businesses, schools and non-profits. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2385 In 2008, Illinois Department of Human Services paid its 15,490 over $800 million in combined wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2386 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave the Chicago Architecture Foundation a $200,000 tourism grant to fund projects such as a state-of-the-art scale model of Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2387 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2377 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2378 In 2008, Illinois Department of Revenue employed 99 individuals at a combined cost of over $4.5 Million to run the State's lottery. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2379 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded the Adams Electric Cooperative a $250,000 grant to build a wind turbine. So far, the DCEO has dispersed $200,000 of the grant. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2380 Surprise! The new federal health bill requires certain restaurants to display the calorie counts of their menus. No big deal? Think again. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2381 The answer may surprise you. Cato's Dan Mitchell blogs on the states that are deepest in the hole. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2382 In 2007, East Dundee Budget was $3,961,411. In 2009, the Village’s Budget was $6,999,028 for a 77 percent increase in just 2 years! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2372 Job growth would help bring in more revenues for the state. A new study shows just how much money is on the line. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2373 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2374 Another taxpayer-funded study is telling us we need higher taxes on soda. No thanks. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2375 In 2008, the Department of Natural Resources paid 154 conservation police officers almost $12 Million in wages http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2376 The average annual wages for state machinists is more than double the average for machinists in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2364 During a time of fiscal crisis the DNR was handing out over $95 million in yearly wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2363 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2365 Liberty Leader Mike Basil recently created the grassroots organization PROillinois to address Illinois’s pension problems. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2366 The average annual wages for cooks on the state payroll were over $42K in 2008. How does that figure compare with the average wages for cooks in Illinois? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2368 Collection of Jerry Agar's articles on his up-close perspective on the Canadian health care system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2369 Yesterday, the Illinois Policy Institute held a blogger conference call to discuss how Illinois can stop ObamaCare from trampling on individual rights. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2370 Here is an idea; user pays. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2356 In 2008, the state spent $480,000.00 to employ 494 workers for the state fair. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2357 The average annual wages for auto mechanics on state payroll in 2008 equals $55,555. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2358 Tax Freedom Day – the date on which Americans will have worked long enough to have earned enough money to pay this year’s tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels – will fall on Sunday, April 11, 2010 for residents of Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2359 What I like about sceptics is that in good science you need critics that make you think: 'Crumbs, have I made a mistake here? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2360 More warnings from Canada's heath care system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2355 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2353 In 2008, the Department of Corrections employed 6,598 correction officers at a cost of $383 million to taxpayers. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2340 An audit of the Schaumburg Township area in Northwestern Cook County revealed only 4 of 17 local government agencies graded received a passing grade on basic online transparency guidelines. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2348 What did Earth Hour prove? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2349 Collin Hitt, Director of Education Policy, discusses the latest news on SB 2494 from the State Capitol. This bill would allow children in the lowest performing schools in Chicago to attend private school with the use of a school voucher. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2351 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2352 The average annual wages for the 164 janitors on the state payroll in 2008 were $41,965. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2344 Move On.org continues to try to sell us a bill that has already passed. Are they correct in their assessment? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2346 Another installment in my series on the failure of the Canadian health care system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2347 Any threat, physical or verbal against another person is wrong - if it happened. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2345 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2343 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2333 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2337 The State Toll Highway Authority paid its 12 truck drivers average annual wages of $73K. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2336 In 2008, Illinois Capital Development Board employed 132 people at a cost of over $8 million. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2338 Members of Congress asked Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to join a court challenge to ObamaCare's health care purchasing mandate. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2339 Most Chicago yellow lights last three seconds, the bare minimum recommended under federal safety guidelines. In the suburbs, yellows generally stay on for four to four-and-a-half seconds. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2341 More on how Canada struggles with health care. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2329 Twenty-four barbers and three beauticians received a total of $1.76 million in wages in 2008 from various departments, including the Department of Corrections. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2330 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2331 A short hand court reporter for the state of Illinois made over $120,000 in wages during 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2332 Canada has a problem, but has a hard time admitting it - and they are the canary in the USA's coal mine. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2322 Can the federal government force you to buy their health plan? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2323 Here is your future. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2324 Various state agencies spent a total of more than $600,000 on employee tuition and fees in fiscal year 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2325 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2326 The 26 employees of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board made over $1.5 million in wages during fiscal year 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2321 Governors in Virginia and New Jersey tackle deficits without tax increases. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2310 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2314 SouthTownStar looks into school district spending amid growing talks of layoffs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2315 Vice President Joe Biden discusses his health care wishes with ABC's Jake Tapper. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2317 New transparency tool from the Department of Commerce. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2319 A Democratic health care memo is floating through the halls of Congress telling members to avoid talking about the bill's cost. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2320 Who will police mandatory health insurance? IRS. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2290 Why would Rahm Emmanuel say that one should never let a good crisis go to waste? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2308 In 2008 toll collectors statewide were paid over $26 million dollars in wages. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2311 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2313 Gov. Quinn should rethink his minimum wage position. Advocating for a higher minimum wage is a short-term political gimmick that does long-term detrimental harm to the people it pretends to help. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2291 Recommendations for improving how the State of Illinois presents its budget to residents. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2292 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2293 The State paid over $2 Million in retirement payments to individuals in an agency titled "Room 465." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2294 The Illinois Department of Transportation spent over $10 million for land, appraisal, engineering & testing fees for highways and aeronautics in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2297 It wasn't to difficult to flip Kucinich on his principals. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2298 New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's budget address warns Illinois against following New Jersey's ill-fated decision to hike income taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2300 The debate continues on what the government needs to collect, as opposed to what they want to collect regarding your personal information. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2285 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency gave the Delta Institute $141,400 since fiscal year 2005. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2286 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2287 In 2008 the Illinois Historic Preservation paid its 389 employees $14 million to help http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2288 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2280 In 2008, taxpayers paid $1,328,203 in wages to the Legislative Printing Unit, an agency which provides printing services to the Illinois Legislature. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2283 Examples of idiot government decisions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2281 The Department of Transportation spent more than $1.4 million on the acquisition and/or construction of ''structures''. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2282 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2275 The Sunshine Commission would provide yet another tool to help root out inefficiencies and waste in Illinois government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2276 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2277 In 2008, the Illinois Art Council employed 24 individuals at a total cost of $1,439,971.87. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2278 Illinois state government has created a useful one-stop shop website at www.sunshine.illinois.gov with the goal of bringing more transparency to the workings of your state government. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2279 Waste comes from abuse, and abuse is built into the system. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2269 The State of Illinois paid 3,293 employees over $100,000 in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2270 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave $101,500 to the Chicago International Film Festival in fiscal year 2009, including an $80,000 grant. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2271 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2272 TweetIllinois.org is sponsoring a table in the Capitol Rotunda. Stop by and say hi. We'll teach you how to use Twitter in five minutes or less. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2273 Your opinion doesn't matter. Your economic situation doesn't matter. Just pay more taxes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2274 Up to August 2009, there were 536 state retirees received pensions larger than $100,000. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2243 More taxes or less government expense. Those are the choices. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2253 Governor Quinn just released an overview of his plans for the fiscal year 2011 budget in a 26 slide powerpoint presentation. His plan calls for a lot of borrowing and some modest cuts but seems to be lacking the big-picture reforms our state needs. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2254 Illinois is facing billions in unpaid bills, yet Governor Quinn is proposing to add to the number of employees on the state's payroll. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2255 Someone in the Illinois Office of Management and Budget has sharpened up their marketing skills. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2256 TweetIllinois.org will have the latest tweets from Illinois state legislators. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2257 Governor Quinn is proposing a 5.8 percent general spending reduction for 2011 compared to last year. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2258 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2259 Government is not a sustainable source for long-term job growth. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2260 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave $250,000 to help fund research on storing carbon underground. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2261 In 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Transportation paid the Mississippi River Parkway Commission $30,800 in total. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2262 Governor Quinn is calling for a 33 percent income tax increase. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2264 32 percent of statistics are fabricated. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2244 Various state agencies spent over half a million dollars on registration fees and conference expenses in 2008 and 2009. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Transportation were among the agencies that spent the most. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2245 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2246 The Village of Allendale, and its 482 citizens, received around $225,000.00 in funding from the State in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2247 There is no end to those who know how we should live and are willing to use government force to get us there. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2249 A bill to implement stronger income verification requirements for those seeking to enroll in Medicaid failed today in the Illinois House. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2250 Is tax credits for new jobs good policy? Do credits work? Are there better options? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2251 A bill targeting online retailers like Amazon.com is moving through the Illinois Senate. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4061 Join us on Tuesday, May 24 for a cocktail hour discussion with pollster Scott Rasmussen on the intersection of public opinion and free market principles. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2236 State agencies spent more than $60K on educational and instructional materials and supplies in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2238 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2239 The Department of Commerce spent $2,464 on lighting for the Ethnic Village at the 2008 state fair http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2224 CPS takes a small step. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2229 Transparency coming to Quincy? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2230 The Department of Employment Security spent $3,000 for a subscription to an economic forecasting service from Global Insight Inc. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2231 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2232 The Department of Employment Security spent over $50K printing the IDES Unemployment Insurance Benefits Handbook in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2233 Another reason why we need transparency in government spending. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2234 Power corrupts. An argument against giving up too much power. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2235 Updated information for an article on the http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2219 Canada begins to discuss how their health care system isn't working. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2221 The Department of Employment Security spent over $10,000 for information and analysis on the state's labor force. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2222 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2223 The Department of Public Health spent over $1 million for http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2210 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2211 The Governor spent over $100K on rent and other expenses for his DC office. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2212 The Department of Commerce gave Prairie State Power Company $2,340,000 in grant money during a three month period from October 2008 through January 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2213 The Chicago Tribune ran a great piece covering Sen. James Meeks' efforts on bring vouchers to students in struggling schools in Chicago: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2215 Stay abreast of legislator tweets at www.TweetIllinois.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2220 What happened to that deadline? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2204 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2205 The Department of Commerce gave Siemens a $1 million grant in fiscal year 2009 to help finance the construction of a new manufacturing plant. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2206 The Department of Employment Security spent over $46K on brochures for Tele-Serve, the telephone hot-line that assists individuals applying for unemployment benefits. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2183 From Haiti to Illinois to Canada, meet the new boss; same as the old boss. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2189 Don't want health care reform the Obama way? Too bad. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2202 What happens if the government decides not to back up its promise? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2198 The Department of Commerce gave $5,000 to an organization in Carlinville, Illinois to support the Annual Christmas Market it puts on. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2200 The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave three grants totaling more than $100,000 to Vintage Tech Recyclers Inc. in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2201 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2203 Your government is protecting you from getting your hair braided by someone who failed to go to a school where they don't teach hair braiding. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2190 What went so wrong with Illinois's budget? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2191 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2192 The Department of Employment Security spent $2,373.94 on copies of Sullivan's Law Directory. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2193 The Department of Transportation spent $4,258K on Legal and Attorney Fees in 2009 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2194 What human health care can learn from pet care. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2184 More than $4.7 million was spent on advertising in 2008 and 2009, in addition to the more than $6 million spent on professional advertising and media services. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2185 Stay abreast of legislator tweets at www.TweetIllinois.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2186 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2187 Now is your chance to let Gov. Quinn and the legislature know what you think about the proposed budget and tax hikes? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2188 The Department of Commerce spent $2,800 on Illinois Workforce Investment Board meetings. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2180 In fiscal year 2009 the Department of Aging gave Ageoptions $14 Million in grants. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2178 The annual threat to school programs and teacher positions is on again. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2179 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2181 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2170 The Wall Street Journal picks up on recent efforts in Illinois to create the state's first voucher program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2172 The Department of Transportation paid over $69 million for land, rights of way and easements in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2173 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2174 The Department of Corrections spent over $600,000 on travel allowances for released and paroled inmates. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2175 An unapologetic Danny Williams says he was aware his trip to the United States for heart surgery earlier this month would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2176 The Department of Healthcare and Family Services employees had colors training in 2005. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2162 Expanding on my earlier assertion that people cannot be starving in mass numbers unless the government has failed and/or is corrupt. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2164 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2165 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2166 The State of Illinois spent $30K per year in 2008 and 2009 for membership and association dues to the Delta Regional Authority. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2168 When bad ideas just won't fade away. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2163 Can the school system solve the violence problem on Chicago streets - and should it be their job? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2158 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2159 The Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Transportation were among the departments that spent the most on household, laundry, and cleaning supplies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2160 An opportunity to increase transparency and bring about more timely disclosure of public information. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2161 In 2009, the CTA received $25 million in direct funding from the state but it still needed to cut service to close a budget deficit after union workers refused to return a 3.5% pay raise. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2154 Illinois spent at least $813,653,009.72 on purchases from other states. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2152 How free are we in Illinois? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2151 Do you think government spending is out of control and harmful? Then Time magazine's Joe Klein thinks you are a dodo. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2153 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2156 The Department of Employment Security spent over $150K on envelopes in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2150 More lessons from Haiti for the American economy. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2146 The State of Illinois spent over $60K on moving expenses in 2008 and 2009. Find out more here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2147 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2148 The state of Illinois spent over $15 million on gas, oil, and antifreeze in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2149 Setting bad precedent? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2135 The Department of Commerce provided over $7 million in grants to tourism Councils and Bureaus. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2136 Transparency in Cook County? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2137 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2138 The Department of Public Health spent on Welcoming Centers in 2008, which are part of a program from the Department of Human Services to help new immigrants. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2142 The AP released information from a forthcoming audit of the Census Bureau detailing wasteful spending during the preparations for the 2010 census. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2144 What does a community organizer do? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2141 Liberty Leader Paul Detlefs responds to an article in the Wall Street Journal in which he explains why the government often can't keep up with the private sector - it's all about incentives. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2129 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2130 The Department of Public Health paid Ink Well Enterprises Inc $4,930 in 2008 for http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2131 In 2008 and 2009 the state of Illinois sent $1,320,000.00 to the Illinois Chapter of the AFL-CIO, a federation of unions. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2122 Side roads saw clearing by Wednesday afternoon... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2123 The Governor's Office spent over $25,000 on subscriptions during 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2124 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2125 Over 2008 and 2009, the State of Illinois spent more than $2.85 million on medical, scientific, and laboratory supplies. Which departments spent the most? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2126 A plank in the Institute's Economic Reform Agenda got a vote in the House. It's a good idea; here's why. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2127 Stay abreast of legislator tweets at www.TweetIllinois.org. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2128 Things don't look so rosy for job growth in the Prairie State. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2111 For fiscal year 2009, the Governor's Office spent $176,200 to be a member of the National Governors Association. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2113 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2115 I am in Pignon, a rural town in the center of the country. It is on Highway 3, which would seem to suggest an easy drive. Have you ever taken a drive along a place cut out of the land by a raging river? That is Highway 3—and I am not exaggerating. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2114 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2116 The Department of Commerce gave Chicago Football Classic Incorporated a grant for $50,000 in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2118 State budget transparency on the way? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2121 Suburban School District 54 greatly improved their Local Government Transparency Project score by close to 40 points since being contacted by the Illinois Policy Institute. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2106 It's time to use technology to ensure that Medicaid claims data can be used by the state and the public to drive cost savings and better health outcomes. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2107 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2108 The Department of Transportation spent over $380K on repair and maintenance of aircraft and boats in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2110 The state spent $532,451.28 on various subscriptions in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2101 The State of Illinois spent over $300K on operating taxes, licenses and fees in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2102 The Department of Healthcare and Family Services spent almost $4,000 to attend conferences and events put on by e.Republic Incorporated http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2103 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2104 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2098 The Department of Public Health spent $694,950 on background checks in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2099 At the 'In Our Hands' summit on vouchers and education Reverend and Senator James Meeks spoke about his voucher bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2092 The Department of Corrections spent over $750K on travel expenses in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2093 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2094 The Department of Employment Security spent over $70,000 on services from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2095 Lawmakers in Springfield eye the possibility of reviving the death tax - before it dies. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2096 They said it, not me. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2097 Transparency may have had a hand in Tuesday's election. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2082 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2083 The Department of Public Health spent $18,000 on catering, meeting rooms, and audio visual equipment to the Wolf Point Hotel Company in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2084 Many people object to the fact that they can't vote for a Republican for one race and a Democrat for another. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2085 The Illinois Department of Commerce spent over $6,000 on shredders in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2086 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2087 Based on the election results from Barrington and Lake Forest, the political viability for major pension reform in Illinois is more probable than previously thought. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2088 A new Tax Foundation report highlights how some localities are trying to extend hotel taxes to online booking service fees. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2089 Get the A, B, C's on lowering your property tax bill. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2090 As recently as November 2009, Recovery.gov claimed that over 24,000 Illinois jobs had been created or saved by the stimulus package. Recovery.gov now lists 11,375 jobs (as reported by grant recipients), less than Minnesota, Missouri, and Indiana's counts. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2076 In 2008, the Department of Public Health spent over $35,000 on meeting facilitators. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2077 Slowly, but at a quickening pace, ice forms over the pool of global warming http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2078 The Obama campaign still owes the City of Springfield serious dough for a campaign rally held in the fall of 2008. Pay up, Mr. President! http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2079 Illinois Department of Transportation spent $225,00 over the past two years on projects labeled as http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2080 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2071 Illinois Department on Aging spent over $25,000 on conference fees in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2073 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2074 The State of Illinois spent over $170,000 on video conferencing in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2075 A bill to mandate paid sick leave is up for consideration in Illinois. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2069 In the interest of transparency... http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2067 The Department of Employment Security spent $5K on writing pads in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2064 In 2009, the Department of Aging spent $433,000 to rent equipment. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2065 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2066 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2068 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2070 Obama shows a disconnect with the American people. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2053 Did you know all of these. Really? ALL of them? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2061 The Department of Transportation spent over $450,000 in 2009 on "forage and farm and garden supplies." http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2054 ...and the Fresh 1st Baron Keynes. Check out the video. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2063 Dan Mitchell explains the negative impact that a second stimulus will have on our long term prospects for recovery. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2059 The President tells us that the stimulus has saved jobs. At what cost? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2060 The Illinois Department of Employment Security spent nearly $500 on bubble wrap in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2062 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2046 Which department spent over $20,000 on toilet paper in 2008 and 2009? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2048 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2049 The State has spent over 1.3 million dollars at Office Depot over the past two years. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2050 Another example of a politician ignoring the real issue and blowing smoke instead. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2040 The Department of Employment Security has spent over $3,500 on cups over the past two years. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2041 The State of Illinois spent over $44 million on commodities in 2009. Which departments spent the most? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2042 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2043 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2045 Unemployment has passed 11 percent in Illinois, while government workers enjoy relative security. Is that a good thing? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2038 The Department of Employment Security, charged with administering the state's unemployment benefits has some interesting items at the top of its budget. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2018 The country does best when the citizens are involved. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2035 Can we cut the spin and get to what matters? Can Quinn govern? Can Dorothy Brown run a county? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2036 Which department store received $37,500 from the Department of Commerce and Economic Development in 2009? What was the money for? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2037 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2039 Hoffman Estates sets new gold standard in Salary & Benefit transparency. 233 employees are making over $100,000 in total compensation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2029 The Department of Employment Security has spent over $3,000 on membership fees for local chambers of commerce. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2030 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2033 Which department was responsible for 99.5% of the spending on http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2016 The election in Massachusetts was shocking. Are the right people shocked? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2021 Which state department spent over $25K on books, maps, and paintings in 2008 and 2009? Who were the vendors? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2024 The Department of Employment Security spent over $3,000 on employee appreciation. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2025 Maryland state lawmakers considering posting committee votes online. Illinois should do the same. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2022 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2027 Christopher Horner talked about global warming at a recent Institute event. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2014 McCormick may be losing another customer. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2012 In 2008 and 2009, Illinois State Government spent over $56 million dollars on purchasing, repairing, and renting vehicles. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2013 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2015 How much did the Department of Transportation spent on remodeling and renovations in 2009? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2017 From warning of the dangers of tax hikes, to rooting out wasteful spending, to a gentle reminder about stocking up on some of life's essentials, here are the articles that you enjoyed the most from the Institute in 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2020 Illinois has officially submitted its application to the federal grant program. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2005 The local school board will hear the proposal tonight. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2006 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2007 Michigan can't sue Illinois over the Asian Carp. They don't have to. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2008 The Department of Commerce spent $1,068 on table tents in 2008. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2009 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2002 Here are five common items that every city in Illinois could put on its web site. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1992 We have made significant progress in opening up http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1993 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1994 That's why charter schools are located almost entirely in Chicago. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1995 The Department of Public Health spent $551,895.96 on telephone interviews for the CDC. Find out more here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1996 The state spent $4,765 on Business cards in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=2001 $735 million from state sale. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1980 Want to speak out about one of the top free speech issues of the year? Today is the deadline to comment on the government’s push for “Net Neutrality.” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1982 Nothing is easier to spend than other people's money. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1987 A federal government study says the (federal) Head Start program isn't working. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1988 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1989 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1990 The Governor's Office spent $123,180 in telecom expenses last year. Where can you see the charges online? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1991 Then check out this free guide from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1966 The federal stimulus dollars were clearly advertised as temporary in nature. So why are folks adding the so-called loss of stimulus dollars to this year's budget deficit calculation? http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1967 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1969 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1970 Find out how much the state government spent on salt for roads in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1973 There is a socialist fever in Washington, DC at the moment. Socialism didn't make America great and cannot solve our problems today. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1979 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1960 Peoria will be home to Central Illinois's first charter high school. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1961 Find out how much the State of Illinois spent on gas, electricity and other expenses for the Governor's mansion. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1962 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1963 The Department of Commerce spent nearly $2 million on public relations in 2008 and 2009. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1964 John O'Hara of the Heartland Institute has written a book about the Tea Party movement. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1965 http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1956 The State of Illinois spent more than $30 million on statistical and tabulation services in 2008 and 2009. Which departments spent the most? Find out here. http://www.illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=1957 The D