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

Pritzker signs statewide $15 minimum wage into law

Estimates from the governor’s office suggest the minimum wage increase will add $1.1 billion to the state payroll, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

By Vincent Caruso

Costello stands with Illinois taxpayers, against progressive income tax

A progressive income tax structure in Illinois would mean tax hikes on the middle class. State Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, has joined the fight against a progressive tax hike in Illinois.

By Vincent Caruso

DAILY LINKS / 2.19.2019

Chicago Sun-Times: A progressive income tax for Illinois is anything but “moral” WTTW Chicago Tonight: Obama Presidential Center Faces Court Ruling Tuesday The Southern: More, better funding for mental health services proposed by state legislators Chicago Sun-Times: Rahm’s agency heads could outlast him thanks to golden parachute contracts Crain's Chicago Business: It's time to modernize the assessor's office Northwest Herald: Our View: Time for Gasser to resign Peoria Journal-Star: Pekin business leaders, workers see minimum wage increase as negative development State Journal-Register: Want to own a vacant lot in Springfield? They’re going for $500

Pritzker’s first year deficit $440 million larger than expected because he plans to spend $440 million more

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said his first year deficit is $3.2 billion, but he intends to spend hundreds of millions more than planned under previous baseline budgeting.

By Adam Schuster

1,179 bills became law last session – just 5% had a price tag

Fiscal notes serve as price tags on bills in the General Assembly. Lawmakers’ habit of omitting them limits their ability to make well-informed decisions.

By Joe Barnas

Aurora Strong

Illinois state spending has grown nearly 50% faster than taxpayer incomes

A spending cap proposal filed by state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, would ensure growth in government spending doesn’t exceed taxpayers’ ability to pay for it.

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

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

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’ comeback story starts here