Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009
Moody’s and S&P downgrade Illinois’ credit rating, the 16th and 17th downgrades since 2009
Major ratings agencies have assigned a negative outlook to Illinois. To move forward, the state can’t pass just any budget – especially one that’s $7 billion out-of-whack – to get beyond its crisis. With today’s fiscal stress, a bad budget is worse than no budget. A budget without reforms will only allow Illinois’ debt to continue to spiral, putting investors – and more importantly, Illinois residents – at risk.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Why Illinois shortchanges people dependent on government services
Why Illinois shortchanges people dependent on government services
Politicians have repeatedly prioritized funding state-worker pay and benefits over social services and other vital programs.
By Ted Dabrowski
From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams
From budget gridlock to traffic gridlock: Resumption of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements causes traffic jams
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is again mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-testing requirements to vehicle owners, and effective June 1, the Illinois secretary of state has resumed requiring certain drivers to pass emissions tests prior to renewing their license plates. Drivers scrambling to comply by the secretary of state’s June 1 effective date caused headline-making traffic jams throughout Chicago and its suburbs.
By Amy Korte
Belleville votes to dissolve township, save taxpayers $260,000 per year starting May 2017
Belleville votes to dissolve township, save taxpayers $260,000 per year starting May 2017
Belleville City Council’s decision to dissolve its township is a great move for taxpayers. Thousands of municipalities could make the same move, too, and eliminate waste.
Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums
Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums
Taxpayers will shell out $36 million for Soldier Field in 2016, in addition to footing the bill for U.S. Cellular Field. And the city of Chicago is still pushing a plan for DePaul University that would cost an initial $55 million for a new basketball stadium.
Years of ‘deadbeat Illinois’: State has history of shortchanging social service providers
Years of ‘deadbeat Illinois’: State has history of shortchanging social service providers
For years, Illinois lawmakers have prioritized government-worker pay and benefits over social services. Between 2000 and 2015, contributions to Illinois state-worker pension funds shot up 586 percent, while state payments for human services increased by only 10 percent.
By Ted Dabrowski
Illinois Senate kills Madigan budget
Illinois Senate kills Madigan budget
On May 31, the Illinois Senate rejected House Speaker Mike Madigan’s budget proposal, which was unbalanced by $7 billion.
By Craig Lesner
Cheryl Ohrt
Cheryl Ohrt
“I’m retired and my husband farms and works at the Vulcan stone quarry. “We’ve been here since 1987. When we bought this house our taxes were $900 on two acres. I just got our property tax bill today and it was almost $5,000. “You try and fix your yard up, your house up, and anything...
Why Rauner should veto all of Madigan’s budget
Why Rauner should veto all of Madigan’s budget
Senate Bill 2048 isn’t a serious blueprint for the future of Illinois.
By Craig Lesner
Madigan’s unbalanced budget doesn’t appropriate pay for state workers
Madigan’s unbalanced budget doesn’t appropriate pay for state workers
If AFSCME workers cannot be paid in the absence of a budget appropriation, pressure will be turned up on the governor to agree to the union’s unreasonable demands.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois state politicians still waiting on paychecks because of refusal to pass balanced budget
Illinois state politicians still waiting on paychecks because of refusal to pass balanced budget
Latest budget proposal from House Democrats would almost certainly cause further delays in officials’ pay, as Gov. Bruce Rauner would likely veto the plan, which is unbalanced by $7 billion.
Madigan spending plan shows need for real balanced-budget rules
Madigan spending plan shows need for real balanced-budget rules
Illinois' budgeting process is not fair to the people of Illinois.
By Austin Berg
Madigan’s unbalanced budget overspends by $7 billion
Madigan’s unbalanced budget overspends by $7 billion
llinois Comptroller Leslie Munger said Speaker Madigan's budget proposal would increase the state's unpaid bills to $15 billion and cause eight to nine month payment delays for vendors.
By Craig Lesner, Ted Dabrowski
Illinois House roll call on Madigan budget, SB 2048
Illinois House roll call on Madigan budget, SB 2048
Find out how your lawmaker voted on Madigan's spending plan.
By illinoispolicy