Illinois Policy

Manny Cunningham

“Every morning, I’m in the car by 5:15 a.m. to come here and teach these kids how to work in construction. “I do it because I love my job. I’m happy every day when I come to work. But I also do it because they risk everything to come here. And a lot of times...

Former Illinois lawmakers powered by energy interests

No Americans trust their state government less than Illinoisans.

By Austin Berg

Suburban, downstate Latino students benefit from amendatory veto of education bill

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendments to Senate Bill 1 bring nearly $54 million more to the 10 school districts with the highest Latino student enrollment outside Chicago.

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

DAILY LINKS / 8.17.2017

Chicago Tribune: Madigan: Attempt to override Rauner's education veto set for next week Peoria Journal-Star: House rejects Gov. Rauner’s school funding plan Chicago Tribune: Metra taps one its own to be new CEO of transit agency Chicago Sun-Times: Lobbyist registrations surge after fines tied to Emanuel emails Chicago Sun-Times: Days after re-appointment, Lightfoot gets $100K communications help Daily Herald: Cook County soda tax would be banned under new state proposal News-Gazette: How sweet it isn't Daily Herald: New CFO for Cook County government named The Southern: Tax redemption puts Grand Tower Power Plant appeal back in the spotlight

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement on a recent editorial cartoon

Statement on editorial cartoon

By illinoispolicy

House Democrats file bill to repeal Cook County soda tax

House Bill 4083 is the second bill in the Illinois General Assembly to propose getting rid of Cook County’s unpopular soda tax.

By Brendan Bakala

Phelps’ choice: $5M more for local schools or a Chicago bailout?

Defenders of Senate Bill 1 are putting a bailout of Chicago Public Schools ahead of their own local school districts.

By Ted Dabrowski

Rauner signs local government consolidation bill

Senate Bill 3 marks an important step in the right direction for local government consolidation, but there’s more to be done.

By Brendan Bakala

TIF money for school

New bill would outlaw Cook County soda tax

House Bill 4082 would ban Illinois home rule counties from levying taxes on sweetened drinks by volume sold.

By Brendan Bakala

Anchorman soda tax

Rauner education funding changes bring $1.4M more to Sente’s school districts

Defenders of Senate Bill 1 are putting a bailout of Chicago Public Schools ahead of their own local school districts.

By Ted Dabrowski

Illinois Senate votes to revive EDGE business tax credit program

House Bill 162 would bring back Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credit program.

By Brendan Bakala

Illinois Senate passes Chicago bailout, overrides Rauner’s amendatory veto

All Senate Democrats and one Republican voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner and pass Senate Bill 1 in its original form, including a bailout for Chicago Public Schools.

By Austin Berg