Township consolidation referendum to appear on Alton ballots
Township consolidation referendum to appear on Alton ballots
Alton voters will face two referendums that could eliminate government layers at both the township and county levels.
Godfrey voters to choose whether to dissolve township on their November ballots
Godfrey voters to choose whether to dissolve township on their November ballots
A referendum asking voters whether to dissolve Godfrey Township will appear on ballots Nov. 6.
Moline proposes hiking city’s already-high property taxes
Moline proposes hiking city’s already-high property taxes
City officials suggest Moline will face a budget deficit without a property tax hike – which would only worsen the property tax plight of area homeowners.
Lake County ballot question lets voters sound off on statewide property tax proposal
Lake County ballot question lets voters sound off on statewide property tax proposal
An idea to fix Illinois’ fiscal woes with a statewide property tax made headlines in May. Voters in Lake County will be asked whether state lawmakers should have the power to impose such a tax.
DuPage County voters to weigh in on per-mile driving tax
DuPage County voters to weigh in on per-mile driving tax
Voters in DuPage County Nov. 6 will give their opinions on a vehicle miles tax, a policy gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton have entertained.
DuPage County voters face ballot question on statewide property tax hike
DuPage County voters face ballot question on statewide property tax hike
Three economists made headlines in May by suggesting Illinois levy a new, statewide property tax. DuPage County voters Nov. 6 can declare their stance on whether that tax should be an option.
Sears bankruptcy may turn arena naming rights into a naming wrong
Sears bankruptcy may turn arena naming rights into a naming wrong
The village of Hoffman Estates penned a $1.8 million deal to extend the arena’s naming rights just days before Sears’ bankruptcy filing.
Joliet city manager collects nearly $100K in severance pay after less than a year on the job
Joliet city manager collects nearly $100K in severance pay after less than a year on the job
Joliet City Council members awarded their outgoing city manager a generous severance package after less than a year on the job. The ex-official will also be allowed to seek unemployment, even though some council members said he wanted to leave.
Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation
Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation
A new university study ranks Illinois last of all 50 states for fiscal health. Pension reform and spending caps are essential for recovery.
Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household
Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household
Christopher Stephens’ family ties landed him a position in local government – and an annual income far eclipsing that of local taxpayers.
Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax
Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax
While J.B. Pritzker has not released a detailed tax plan of his own, reasonable cost estimates suggest the tax hike required to pay for the candidate’s spending promises would require doubling Illinois’ state income tax rate and cost the state an estimated 132,000 jobs and $31.3 billion in forgone GDP.
Schaumburg village manager rakes in 318% more than area’s median households
Schaumburg village manager rakes in 318% more than area’s median households
The highest-earning government employee in at least five municipalities far outpaces what typical local taxpayers in those areas bring in.
Bloomington creates mandatory business registry, hikes 100 occupational fees
Bloomington creates mandatory business registry, hikes 100 occupational fees
Bloomington City Council approved an ordinance that creates a mandatory business registry with a $50 entrance fee, in addition to hiking 100 permit and licensing fees.
Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit
Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit
In an effort to close a $7.4 million shortfall, the city of Evanston’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes police and fire cuts along with a string of tax hikes – highlighting the need to trim government waste and push for structural reform in Springfield.