Madigan’s law: Politicians prosper as Illinoisans feel pain
Madigan’s law: Politicians prosper as Illinoisans feel pain
State lawmakers have effectively exempted themselves from the consequences of budget gridlock.
Out of ideas: Political insiders push for a $30 billion tax hike
Out of ideas: Political insiders push for a $30 billion tax hike
The Civic Federation is pushing a $30 billion tax hike in Illinois, following the same mistaken path that got Illinois in today’s fiscal crisis.
LIVESTREAM: Gov. Rauner Budget Address
LIVESTREAM: Gov. Rauner Budget Address
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Budget Address Noon, Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Chicagoans paying 50% tax rate on raw price of gas
Chicagoans paying 50% tax rate on raw price of gas
While gas prices have dropped to a 12-year low in Illinois, Chicagoans pay $0.32 more per gallon than the state average due to multiple layers of city, county and state taxation.
Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say
Chicago’s new cigarette tax will lead to more black-market sales and violence, alderman say
South and West Side aldermen believe that an increase in the tobacco tax will lead to an increase in black-market sales and violence. They're right.
New congestion-alleviating proposal from Springfield would add extra lanes, accessible via toll
New congestion-alleviating proposal from Springfield would add extra lanes, accessible via toll
Under one proposal for I-55, tolls in new lanes would increase at peak congestion times, giving drivers an incentive to stay off the road, and allowing the highway to operate at higher capacity and traffic to move faster.
Gov. Bruce Rauner: Illinois can save $500M on purchases
Gov. Bruce Rauner: Illinois can save $500M on purchases
Streamlining the way Illinois buys goods and services could save the state $500 million annually.
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Budget gridlock in Springfield has caused the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to stop mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-test requirements to vehicle owners.
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas levy taxes on Chicagoans over and above the already steep taxes and fees imposed by the city.
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
The district’s borrowing does take pressure off of the district’s immediate cash-flow problem. However, it does nothing to solve the CPS’ long-term financial crisis and its structural imbalances – in fact it only makes things worse.
Emanuel promises another Chicago property-tax hike
Emanuel promises another Chicago property-tax hike
Mere months after passing the largest tax hike in modern Chicago history, Mayor Rahm Emanuel vows to hit residents with even higher property-tax bills, this time to bail out pension mismanagement by Chicago Public Schools officials – behavior tacitly endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union.
CPS’ postponed bond sale poses questions for Chicago and Emanuel
CPS’ postponed bond sale poses questions for Chicago and Emanuel
Amid CPS’ postponed $875 million bond sale, Chicagoans should question whether the district can fill its budget hole and whether Emanuel will stand up for Chicago taxpayers or give in to more teachers union demands.
Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest
Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest
Instead of spending reform and policies to promote economic growth, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan proposes the same high-taxing, big-spending plans that got Illinois into its current fiscal mess.
Chicago Public Schools pulls bond sale
Chicago Public Schools pulls bond sale
Chicago Public Schools’ postponement of its $875 million bond sale indicates investors’ concerns over the financial state of the district.