Democracy in Illinois is a shell game
Democracy in Illinois is a shell game
House Speaker Mike Madigan and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin used shell bills to avoid the March 31 deadline for bills to pass out of committee. Madigan passed 936 shell bills. Durkin passed 528. Meanwhile, thousands of substantive bills died without so much as a committee hearing.
By Austin Berg
Illinois comptroller issues self, lawmakers paychecks despite appeal of circuit court’s ruling
Illinois comptroller issues self, lawmakers paychecks despite appeal of circuit court’s ruling
Rank-and-file lawmakers have received paychecks of more than $50,800.
By Greg Bishop
Illinois lawmaker proposes taxing landscaping and other lawn services
Illinois lawmaker proposes taxing landscaping and other lawn services
SB 9 is part of the package of bills that make up the Senate “grand bargain,” which would have hiked taxes by $7 billion.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget
Illinois lawmakers head out for 2-week spring break without passing a budget
Though Illinois lawmakers leave without addressing the current fiscal impasse, it’s been 16 years since the General Assembly last balanced the budget.
By Brendan Bakala
Fake property tax relief: 3 reasons HB 156 fails taxpayers
Fake property tax relief: 3 reasons HB 156 fails taxpayers
Despite being sold as property tax “relief,” new legislation in Springfield would only shift property tax burdens on to certain taxpayers, while complicating an already confusing property tax system.
By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner
The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan
The latest budget proposal for Illinois: A no-tax-hike plan
The Taxpayer Bargain finally shifts the budget conversation in favor of taxpayers over politicians, with a plan that balances the state budget without tax hikes.
By Ted Dabrowski, Craig Lesner
Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year
Illinois workers’ compensation rules cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion a year
State and local costs for workers’ compensation are out of line with what other states pay.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois gives The Advisory Board Co. a $2.6M tax break
Illinois gives The Advisory Board Co. a $2.6M tax break
Under a 2015 agreement between the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and The Advisory Board Co., the state gave a tax credit worth millions of dollars in exchange for 55 jobs.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois House adopts resolution to oppose Senate’s internet streaming tax
Illinois House adopts resolution to oppose Senate’s internet streaming tax
With bipartisan support, members of the Illinois House adopted a resolution opposing the internet streaming tax proposal – which might not even be legal — in the Senate’s “grand bargain.”
Illinois House proposes ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers
Illinois House proposes ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers
House Bill 3393 would impose a 20 percent surcharge on fees earned by investment managers.
By Amy Korte
Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening
Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening
Illinois’ revenues are falling each month of this fiscal year, and it will be difficult to change course.
House Dems OK $800 million in new spending after heated debate
House Dems OK $800 million in new spending after heated debate
Illinois has racked up $14 billion in unpaid bills.
By Greg Bishop
Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year
Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year
Despite a fight from the union, the Illinois Department of Corrections is replacing 124 unionized nurses with private subcontractors, which could save taxpayers millions each year.
Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass
Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass
If voters approve proposals to raise St. Clair County sales taxes by a combined 2 percent, people in some parts of St. Clair County would face total sales taxes of over 11 percent.
By Lea Thoele