Budget + Tax

Rebuttal to Gov. Quinn’s 2012 State of the State Address

Rebuttal to Gov. Quinn’s 2012 State of the State Address

by John Tillman Below, you will see a link to my brief response to Gov. Quinn’s 2012 State-of-the-State speech presented at noon today in Springfield. The overarching theme with the Governor’s speech is that Illinois is moving forward and is “back on course.” How does that square with the people of Illinois? Actually, 74% say the...

Do you have $1 million on hand?

Do you have $1 million on hand?

A new pension calculator allows individuals to see just how generous government employee pensions really are.

The verdict is in: The tax hike failed – 3 reasons why

The verdict is in: The tax hike failed – 3 reasons why

One year after Illinois’ Democratic leaders pushed through a record tax hike, the grades are in. The tax hike flunked. It failed to put Illinois on sound fiscal footing. It failed at restoring confidence in government’s ability to meet serious challenges head on. It failed to strengthen the state’s economy. It failed to create opportunity...

7 ways to help repeal the income tax hike

7 ways to help repeal the income tax hike

Enough is enough! If you want to join the battle to turn around the State of Illinois then here's 7 ways to help repeal the 2011 income tax hike in Illinois.

Pensions vs. schools: Chicago Public Schools

Pensions vs. schools: Chicago Public Schools

The problem Illinois is facing a fiscal crisis. The expense of retirement benefits is overwhelming many areas of the state budget. Lawmakers have known of this situation for years, but thus far have not adopted a comprehensive solution. The state faces an $85 billion unfunded liability to its pensions systems. It owes another $45 billion...

Pensions vs. schools: Downstate and suburban PK-12 education

Pensions vs. schools: Downstate and suburban PK-12 education

The problem Illinois is facing a fiscal crisis. The expense of retirement benefits is overwhelming many areas of the state budget. Lawmakers have known of this situation for years, but thus far have not adopted a comprehensive solution. The state faces an $85 billion unfunded liability to its pensions systems. It owes another $45 billion...

Pensions vs. schools: Higher education

Pensions vs. schools: Higher education

The problem Illinois is facing a fiscal crisis. The expense of retirement benefits is overwhelming many areas of the state budget. Lawmakers have known of this situation for years, but thus far have not adopted a comprehensive solution. The state faces an $85 billion unfunded liability to its pensions systems. It owes another $45 billion...

Illinois legislators sweat the small stuff

Illinois legislators sweat the small stuff

by Kristina Rasmussen Illinois has trouble. Big trouble. Our public pension system is one market crash away from disaster. Our unemployment numbers are over 10 percent. People are hightailing it for greener pastures. You’d think Illinois legislators would focus on turning this state around with bold reforms. Think again. Even as the Illinois General Assembly failed to address the pension crisis,...