Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
With hundreds of taxing bodies in their county and inaction from Springfield, DuPage homeowners will soon see yet another property tax increase.
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Despite being axed for bad performance, and in some cases not even doing its job, Northstar Lottery Group is collecting millions in fees and bonuses.
By Brendan Bakala
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.
By Amy Korte
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
Illinois state government works to prioritize special interests over taxpayers – and the budget deal being negotiated in the Senate would continue that.
By Michael Lucci
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Poll results show only 1/3 of Illinoisans say they’ve been affected by the budget impasse
Forty percent of respondents to a newly released statewide poll blame the government for poverty. Poll results also show that Illinoisans feel insecure about jobs and education, in addition to frustration with government dysfunction.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge Garcia points to the lack of a budget as reason enough to delay payments to legislators.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending
Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending
Despite Illinois’ billions in deficit spending and skyrocketing debt, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 278, which would transfer an additional $300 million per year of state income tax funds to local governments, continuing to prop up local overspending that fuels high property taxes.
By Amy Korte
Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program
Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is suspending funding for a technology initiative Gov. Bruce Rauner has said would save taxpayer money and promote efficiency, data security and transparency in state government.
Illinois has highest overall tax burden in the nation
Illinois has highest overall tax burden in the nation
A new report from WalletHub finds Illinois’ combined state and local tax burden is higher than that of every other state and the District of Columbia.
By Brendan Bakala