Rauner allows Illinois township to eliminate itself
Rauner allows Illinois township to eliminate itself
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature authorizing Belleville Township to dissolve highlights a flawed process that prevents consolidation in a state that desperately needs it.
By Hilary Gowins
Private groups receiving Illinois tax dollars rally for higher taxes
Private groups receiving Illinois tax dollars rally for higher taxes
Nonprofit organizations that receive taxpayer money advocate for higher taxes on the taxpayers who fund their operations and salaries.
By John Klingner
Illinois lottery winners to receive IOUs as lawmakers refuse reform
Illinois lottery winners to receive IOUs as lawmakers refuse reform
A Springfield budget stalemate comes with embarrassing consequences for Illinois government.
By Hilary Gowins
State must show plan for developmentally disabled service payments
State must show plan for developmentally disabled service payments
The state is now nearly 60 days into its fiscal year with the only significant portion of its budget approved being for primary and secondary education.
By Mark Fitton
U.S. tariffs on sugar drive up costs for American manufacturers and consumers
U.S. tariffs on sugar drive up costs for American manufacturers and consumers
High tariffs in the U.S. raise the price of sugar, driving food manufacturers such as Mondelez International out of the country.
Rauner signs “pass-through” legislation, Madigan spending attempt thwarted
Rauner signs “pass-through” legislation, Madigan spending attempt thwarted
The bipartisan pass-through spending law will provide services to the state’s most vulnerable.
By Austin Berg
Illinois homeowners pay the second-highest property taxes in the U.S.
Illinois homeowners pay the second-highest property taxes in the U.S.
New Tax Foundation study reveals that Illinoisans pay a second mortgage in property taxes.
By Michael Lucci
Rauner signs bill banning new units of local government for 4 years
Rauner signs bill banning new units of local government for 4 years
Encouraging the streamlining of government services and more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
By Heather Weiner
Chicago employers say ‘fat tax’ would punch them in the gut
Chicago employers say ‘fat tax’ would punch them in the gut
City leaders are focused on the wrong kind of belt tightening.
By Austin Berg
Gas prices soar higher in Chicago than other Midwestern cities
Gas prices soar higher in Chicago than other Midwestern cities
Multiple layers of taxation make gas sold in Chicago more expensive than in other cities across the Midwest.
By Hilary Gowins
Driverless trains: Why does Chicago lag behind London?
Driverless trains: Why does Chicago lag behind London?
Driverless trains and buses could dramatically reduce the cost of Chicago’s expensive public transportation system, resulting in much-needed savings for taxpayers.
All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade
All three major credit rating agencies declare CPS bonds ‘junk’ grade
Another credit downgrade for the Chicago Board of Education’s debt demonstrates the urgency of immediate fiscal reforms.
By John Klingner
Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers
Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers
If state politicians override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of SB 1229, they would remove even more state spending from taxpayer oversight.
By Jim Long
House rejects Madigan’s attempt to clog federal-funds pass-through bill
House rejects Madigan’s attempt to clog federal-funds pass-through bill
Through this latest bit of gamesmanship, Madigan delayed the enactment of the state’s uncontroversial federal-funds pass-through legislation.
By Amy Korte, Heather Weiner