In 2016, Chicago and Cook County officials approved new tax and fee hikes that will hit already overburdened residents. A taxpayer bill of rights could prevent politicians from constantly nickel-and-diming residents to make up for budget shortfalls.
After hundreds of waiting list deaths and an unsustainable enrollment explosion, Illinois policymakers must act swiftly to contain this growing nightmare. Thankfully, they have options.
Metra CEO Don Orseno is set to receive a pay increase a month after Metra’s fare hike.
The failure of almost all potential veto overrides in 2016 is a victory for Illinois taxpayers.
Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.
A group of state representatives has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger.
Lame-duck session allows lawmakers already ousted by voters to act with reckless abandon before leaving the Statehouse.
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the $215 million bailout of Chicago Public Schools’ ailing teachers’ pension fund.
Illinois needs structural reforms to fix its fiscal problems, not a tax hike by lawmakers on their way out the door.
Unlike the people who voluntarily have given tens of thousands of dollars toward Cards Against Humanity's Black Friday hole-digging gag, Illinois taxpayers are forced to pour money into the state's ever-growing budget and pension gaps.
Chicago City Council expanded its 9 percent amusement tax to include businesses subscribing to satellite television – another way to nickel and dime the most taxed residents in the state.
Chicago would create new transit-based super TIFs before the close of the year in order to secure federal funding, while adding more opportunities for city-run slush funds to hoard tax dollars.
Fiscal mismanagement by Illinois politicians has resulted in mounting deficits that are hurting the state’s economy, leading to ever-higher taxes, and driving people and their income out of the state.
The time is ripe to offer private insurance options to needy Illinoisans through premium-assistance programs and Medicaid savings accounts.