Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

By Adam Schuster

Repeating past mistakes: Pritzker proposes borrowing, stretching out payment ramp as pension solution

Trying to fix a massive pension deficit with more tax increases, deferring payments and gambling with taxpayer money is a recipe for failure.

By Adam Schuster, Brad Weisenstein

Per-mile driving tax proposal introduced in Illinois House

New House bill would create a pilot program to test the feasibility of a per-mile driving tax.

By Joe Barnas

DAILY LINKS / 2.15.2019

Chicago Tribune: Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration considering selling state buildings and land to pay for pensions WBEZ: Pritzker Eying Borrowing, Long-Term Repayment Extension As State Pension Fixes Crain's Chicago Business: Sale of Thompson Center edges ahead Chicago Tribune: Illinois House votes to raise minimum wage to $15 by 2025; Gov. J.B. Pritzker expected to sign it State Journal-Register: Bill aimed at paring Madigan’s power stalls in House subcommittee Northwest Herald: McHenry County business owners fear layoffs, higher prices with new minimum wage Crain's Chicago Business: Emanuel, Pritzker renew Amazon push Chicago Tribune: Google will expand finance team to Chicago, adding 'hundreds' of jobs Chicago Sun-Times: Judge expected to decide by next week whether to toss Obama Center lawsuit Chicago Tribune: Chicago Park District calls Friends of the Parks report on inequality 'inaccurate,' 'incendiary,' 'divisive' Chicago Tribune: Think the shutdown of northbound Lake Shore Drive was bad? Will County bridges are even more alarming. Bloomington Pantagraph: Bloomington suspends controversial business registration fee

Printing company foresees robot in Indiana benefitting from Illinois $15 minimum wage

The owner of a growing book printing company faces a greater threat from out-of-state competitors thanks to lawmakers in his home state. Calls for a $15 minimum wage and progressive tax could hurt his workers and business in southern Illinois.

By Brad Weisenstein

Statewide $15 minimum wage passes Illinois House, ready for Pritzker

The Illinois House voted for a statewide $15 minimum wage – adding $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

By Vincent Caruso

Restoring Justice Act would give less time to Illinoisans when their offense becomes less of a crime

As Illinois works to decriminalize minor offenses, the Restoring Justice Act would adjust sentences for past offenders.

By Vincent Caruso

House Bill would repeal Illinois estate tax, protect family farms

Illinois is one of just a handful of states that double-taxes people when they die by imposing its own estate tax atop the federal tax. A bill that would repeal Illinois’ estate tax could save family farms.

By Brad Weisenstein

Illinois government has a lot of problems, revenue isn’t one of them

Illinois families deserve better than to be told the only real solution is in their pocketbooks.

By Austin Berg

Kiss-off: Too many Illinoisans breaking up with the state

Every relationship comes with its sacrifices. But for an alarming number of Illinoisans, parting ways with Illinois is how they choose to get on with their lives.

By Vincent Caruso

Chicago alderman wants ‘robot tax’ on Amazon HQ2

Amazon pulled its HQ2 out of New York City, so Chicago is considering imposing a “robot tax” on companies looking to automate their way around high labor costs.

By Vincent Caruso

Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

A legal tactic intended to make it easier for Illinois judges to stay on the bench is under fire. An Illinois House bill aims to close the loophole, which four southwestern Illinois judges used in bids to dilute voters’ power.

By Joe Barnas

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, a new analysis found.

By Vincent Caruso

Duped: How millions of dollars in AFSCME member dues flow to politics

State workers don’t really know much about how AFSCME spent $7.7 million on politics. That’s because records don’t detail and the union’s Illinois chapter obscures how most of the money was used.

By Vincent Caruso

Illinois’ comeback story starts here