Budget + Tax Archives

Instead of tax hikes, reform higher education to prioritize students over administrators

Illinois spends more money on retirement costs than on university operations – and tuition keeps rising to prop up this overspending. Instead of hiking taxes to maintain current spending habits in higher education, politicians should shift priorities from propping up six-figure administrators to keeping tuition affordable for students.

Consolidating school districts could save Illinois taxpayers billions

Consolidating Illinois’ 859 school districts will lead to greater efficiency and help stem rising property taxes.

By Brendan Bakala

Property tax rebate program for Chicago homeowners turns into Rahm’s slush fund

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is spending money promised for rebates on police body cameras, a legal defense fund for undocumented immigrants and other programs.

By Brendan Bakala

Instead of a tax hike, consolidate Illinois’ 7,000 units of local government

As lawmakers consider massive tax hikes on Illinoisans, they should look to consolidate nearly 7,000 units of local government and to cut their high administrative costs.

By Brendan Bakala

Illinois Senate budget proposal weak on consolidation

Instead of giving Illinois residents the power to initiate referendums on local government consolidation, Senate Bill 3 vests this power in government officials, who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

Full text: Gov. Bruce Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address

Delivered on Jan. 25, 2017.

By illinoispolicy

Illinois doesn’t need a tax hike, it needs a taxpayer bill of rights

Instead of proposing more tax hikes, the Illinois Senate should provide some much needed relief to residents and pass a taxpayer bill of rights.

10 reasons Illinois needs a new approach

The status quo isn’t working for Illinois; the state needs serious reforms to get its spending under control, pay down its debt, and rein in the taxes that are driving its people across state lines.

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

Senators pitch tax on ‘privilege’ of doing business in Illinois, among other tax hike proposals

In addition to raising the state’s personal and corporate income taxes back near their all-time highs, senators are proposing taxing businesses on the “privilege” of doing business in Illinois, as well as taxing several services.

2017 STATE OF THE STATE BINGO!

Play BINGO! with us during Gov. Rauner's State of the State address at noon on Jan. 25! Win free stuff!

By illinoispolicy

How Illinois can turn its Medicaid program into a true safety net

Illinois should roll back the state’s Obamacare Medicaid expansion and institute work requirements to save Medicaid for truly needy Illinoisans.

Despite financial crisis, Chicago State University pays lobbyists, Madigan spokesman hundreds of thousands

Chicago State University spent more than $200,000 lobbying Springfield politicians, while deteriorating finances caused it to lay off hundreds of employees, including professors.

Illinois needs a vision, not just a budget

The Illinois Senate budget proposal merely puts off the state’s day of reckoning through more of the same: tax hikes, borrowing and spending, without the necessary reforms to put the state on a path to fiscal and economic health.

By Ted Dabrowski

Illinois Supreme Court ends Chicago tax on suburban car rentals

The Illinois Supreme Court shut down a tax Chicago was imposing on car rentals outside city limits, noting the potentially chaotic nature of the policy.