Budget + Tax

Due process denied: Illinois’ new scheme to take your tax refund

Due process denied: Illinois’ new scheme to take your tax refund

by Peter White, Liberty Justice Center Residents of Illinois are dying a death by a thousand cuts. Municipalities are finding ever more creative ways to raise revenue: fees, fines and taxes. The trouble for some localities such as the City of Chicago is collection. Now, however, they’ve found something new: the City is going to...

By Chris Andriesen

Commentary on Gov. Quinn’s budget address

Commentary on Gov. Quinn’s budget address

This week, Gov. Quinn submitted his budget proposals for fiscal year 2013, which starts July 1, 2012. The governor said that the state’s “rendezvous with reality has arrived.” But while the governor recognized the state’s problems, he offered few concrete reforms on how to solve these problems. Below is the Institute’s commentary on Gov. Quinn’s...

By Chris Andriesen

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

Illinoisans agree: The tax hike was a failure

by Taylor Smith It’s no secret that Illinois’ record income tax hike has failed to revive Illinois’ fiscal health. But it also has dramatically exacerbated the state’s economic outlook on many levels. Since the tax hike, Illinois’ unemployment numbers have worsened. In 2011, Illinois’ unemployment rate increased most in the nation – by far – with 46...

By Chris Andriesen

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...

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