Rauner vetoes cursive writing mandate
Rauner vetoes cursive writing mandate
A bill that would have mandated cursive writing instruction in public elementary schools contained an unknown cost for school districts.
Illinois state budget already in deficit despite record $5 billion tax hike
Illinois state budget already in deficit despite record $5 billion tax hike
With the 2018 budget set to spend at least $1.3 billion more than it takes in, members of the General Assembly have hoodwinked Illinoisans once again.
Illinois state Sen. Dave Syverson supports gas tax hike
Illinois state Sen. Dave Syverson supports gas tax hike
Illinois state Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, joins state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, in supporting an increase in the state’s gas tax.
KFC parent company sued over improper application of Cook County soda tax
KFC parent company sued over improper application of Cook County soda tax
Cook County’s penny-per-ounce sweetened beverage tax has led to another lawsuit alleging a restaurant applied the tax incorrectly.
Illinois State Rep. Dan Brady wants to hike gas taxes
Illinois State Rep. Dan Brady wants to hike gas taxes
Illinoisans already pay some of the highest taxes in the nation, including high taxes at the pump.
Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted
Illinois universities’ problems are largely self-inflicted
Illinois universities are blaming the recent budget impasse for their declining enrollment and financial problems. But the problems in higher education started long before the budget fight, and are largely self-inflicted.
Preckwinkle delays soda tax repeal vote
Preckwinkle delays soda tax repeal vote
With mounting pressure, a vote on the repeal of the soda tax was delayed for another month.
Metra proposes fare hikes for 4th consecutive year
Metra proposes fare hikes for 4th consecutive year
Blaming Illinois state budget cuts, Metra considers raising fares in 2018, despite previous fare schedule.
Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns
Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns
A We Ask America poll shows 87.5 percent of respondents think Cook County commissioners support the sweetened beverage tax for reasons other than health.
More than 250 Peoria city employees receive over $150K in compensation
More than 250 Peoria city employees receive over $150K in compensation
Lucrative compensation for government workers stands in stark contrast to the city’s budgetary struggles and a flagging local economy.
Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt
Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt
After a tax hike spree from Chicago-area politicians, residents are stuck paying more only to carry an ever-larger load of debt.
Ken Jarosch
Ken Jarosch
“Just look at the soda tax. How many lawsuits are out there to Walgreens and McDonald’s and 7-Eleven because they couldn’t program their registers and they couldn’t figure out how to train their people … it’s a real challenge … And it’s not just a customer coming in and saying, ‘hey you overcharged me on...
Illinoisans get $6B more in long-term debt, but no reforms
Illinoisans get $6B more in long-term debt, but no reforms
While borrowing to help pay down the state’s unpaid bill backlog will save money on interest payments and relieve pressure on those waiting for cash, it also perpetuates Illinois’ spending problem.
Oswego hikes taxes on fuel and prepared food and beverages
Oswego hikes taxes on fuel and prepared food and beverages
The new taxes are planned to pay for road maintenance and improvement as well as general use. As is the case in communities throughout Illinois, pension costs are crowding out other spending in Oswego.