Illinois lawmakers claim the state saved nearly $500 million in fiscal year 2026, but most “savings” are either from federal decisions or shifting costs, not serious fiscal restraint.
State lawmakers voted to hike road tolls in 2027, even though the state has billions in the road fund it’s not using. Some drivers are reconsidering their commutes; Laura Valdez explains why she cut toll roads out of her routine years ago.
Pro-growth policies and fiscal responsibility can ensure Illinois’ long-term budget health. Here’s how state leaders can do it.
Some Illinois lawmakers handed money to their local business associations. Should everyone’s taxes subsidize certain groups because their lawmakers had clout?
White County joined Rock Island in altering tax sale rules to stop equity theft. The moves are intended to protect them from an unconstitutional state law.
Illinois lawmakers funded a Hispanic chamber of commerce connected to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Its chief opposes ICE deportations.
Illinoisans pay the third-highest gas taxes in the nation at nearly $0.85 per gallon. California leads and Michigan edged into the No. 2 spot.
The Illinois Constitution stops politicians from imposing progressive taxation, which would give them power to progressively tax everyone more.
Illinois toll rates are about to increase as a political favor to construction unions. That’s despite a $3 billion surplus in the road fund.
Cook County’s delayed property tax bills are straining school districts with nearly $122 million in unexpected, unneeded costs.
Illinois’ rushed, closed-door budgeting process funded $700,000 in taxpayer dollars to a research group promoting “decolonization.”
Record Cook County property tax hikes under Toni Preckwinkle expose a fundamentally broken system, benefitting insiders and costing everyone else.
Illinois lawmakers gave $4.6 million to A Ray of Hope on Earth, a sports camp for children. The grants were 10 times the group’s 2023 budget.
Illinois’ broken budgeting process allowed state lawmakers to spend $2.6 million on tennis and pickleball courts.