Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes
Budget Solutions 2018: Balancing the state budget without tax hikes
A set of structural reforms that protect taxpayers and put Illinois on the path to prosperity.
Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects
Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects
Affluent communities would receive millions in grants under a Republican spending plan.
Illinois’ boiling frog
Illinois’ boiling frog
DAILY LINKS / 6.28.2017
Chicago Tribune: Madigan offers budget, but won't say how he'd pay for it State Journal-Register: House Democrats propose four-year property tax freeze Chicago Tribune: Lottery to again delay large payouts due to Illinois budget woes Wall Street Journal: How Bad Is the Crisis in Illinois? It Has $14.6 Billion in Unpaid Bills Crain's Chicago Business: Budget crisis could snatch solar cash Fox Illinois: 80% of state teacher pension payments going towards unfunded liability Chicago Tribune: Illinois stays mum on health insurance rates, plans for next year's exchange WTTW Chicago Tonight: Lawsuit Filed to Battle Cook County’s Soda Tax Chicago Tribune: How to squander $70,000 a day Chicago Tribune: CPS considers transit card management contract that has been subject of investigation Chicago Tribune: Proposed Fair Workweek ordinance would mandate predictable schedules, stable paychecks Chicago Tribune: NIU is sued over president's lucrative severance Chicago Tribune: Three Chicago cops indicted in alleged cover-up of Laquan McDonald shooting Chicago Tribune: Emanuel's own watchdog says court-enforced Police Department oversight needed Daily Herald: Lombard District 44 to pay interim superintendent $1,000 a day, replacement $190K Daily Herald: District 128 quiet on indictments against board member, employee State Journal-Register: Proposed TIF district faces increased opposition Belleville News-Democrat: East St. Louis Township could be missing $600,000 — with no way to get it backDay 8: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Day 8: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Eight days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $400,000 for just over two hours of work.
Illinois’ so-called ‘property tax freeze’ legislation exempts Chicago Public Schools and city of Chicago
Illinois’ so-called ‘property tax freeze’ legislation exempts Chicago Public Schools and city of Chicago
Senate Bill 484 would offer a freeze in name only, as it fails to address the very costs that drive up Illinois homeowners’ property tax bills.
Taxes will account for nearly one-third of Chicago soda prices starting July 1
Taxes will account for nearly one-third of Chicago soda prices starting July 1
A new tax on sugary drinks designed to generate revenue for cash-strapped Cook County will be the third burdensome tax applied to soda prices in Chicago, making a $4 12-pack of soda in the city cost $5.97.
Term limits seemingly off the table in Illinois budget negotiations
Term limits seemingly off the table in Illinois budget negotiations
Nearly 4 out of 5 Illinoisans support term limits for lawmakers.
Democrats’ fake property tax freeze won’t save Illinois’ underwater housing market
Democrats’ fake property tax freeze won’t save Illinois’ underwater housing market
A four-year freeze riddled with exceptions won’t help Illinois homeowners. Illinoisans need a long-term freeze on local property tax levies and a cap on the tax burden for individual homeowners.
The history of Illinois’ fiscal crisis
The history of Illinois’ fiscal crisis
Illinois’ fiscal collapse is the culmination of decades of budget gimmicks and taxes used to paper over the state’s structural spending problems and misplaced priorities that favor special interests over ordinary Illinoisans.
Rauner’s reform demands: From 44 to 0
Rauner’s reform demands: From 44 to 0
Gov. Bruce Rauner has compromised over and over to strike a deal, to the point of abandoning every reform he once demanded. But no matter how much Rauner gave, House Speaker Mike Madigan never budged.
$70,000 a day in interest — the cost for Chicago Public Schools to borrow $387M
$70,000 a day in interest — the cost for Chicago Public Schools to borrow $387M
In two separate deals with JPMorgan, CPS borrowed $387M to make a teacher pension payment at end of June and as a result of the deal, will accumulate at least $7M in interest.
Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’
Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’
History shows Illinois politicians favor tax hikes over spending reform, and the Tollway and 2011 income tax battle offer examples of the dangers taxpayers face when politicians toy with a temporary tax hike.
Day 7: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 11 minutes for second consecutive day
Day 7: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 11 minutes for second consecutive day
Seven days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $350,000 for less than 2 hours of work.