Budget + Tax

Cartoon Blogging

Cartoon Blogging

About that budget proposal from Gov. Quinn...

AEI: Government Workers Are Not Underpaid

AEI: Government Workers Are Not Underpaid

Andrew G. Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, disputes a recent study that claims state and local government workers are underpaid compared to similar private sector workers.

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing.

Local Government Stretching Budgets? Opportunities for Saving Do Exist

Local Government Stretching Budgets? Opportunities for Saving Do Exist

Now more than ever, local governments across Illinois are experiencing significant declines in revenue sources, and because of this pressure, some are revaluating how they operate and discovering some unnecessary spending habits and stale routines.

2.1 Million, 34% of Tax Filers in Illinois Pay No Federal Income Tax

2.1 Million, 34% of Tax Filers in Illinois Pay No Federal Income Tax

by Brian Costin An interesting study from the Tax Foundation released earlier this week showed that 34% of Illinois citizens who filed a tax return paid no taxes on their income, slightly below the national average of 36%. 2.1 Million out of the state’s 6.1 million filers were able to reduce their income tax liability to...

Institute in the Chicago Sun-Times: Stop Pension Borrowing Plan

Institute in the Chicago Sun-Times: Stop Pension Borrowing Plan

The lack of leadership from elected officials in our state reared its ugly head again this week. Illinois will likely be stuck with another unbalanced budget, thanks in large part to two retiring GOP legislators.

How ‘Bout Them Cuts?

How ‘Bout Them Cuts?

The Illinois House of Representatives fails to pass significant spending reforms.