Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
Rauner calls for closed-circuit cameras to replace watchtower guards in effort to cut overtime costs
A spokeswoman for the governor said the measure would cut overtime costs and help reduce the state’s corrections budget.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world
State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
‘Obama holiday’ bill fails, saving Illinois taxpayers nearly $20M
Proposed legislation to commemorate former President Barack Obama’s birthday as a state holiday in Illinois would have cost taxpayers nearly $20 million in state personnel expenses and lost productivity.
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid ahead of everyone else
Judge Garcia points to the lack of a budget as reason enough to delay payments to legislators.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending
Illinois politicians vote to divert $300M from state coffers to fuel local spending
Despite Illinois’ billions in deficit spending and skyrocketing debt, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 278, which would transfer an additional $300 million per year of state income tax funds to local governments, continuing to prop up local overspending that fuels high property taxes.
By Amy Korte
Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program
Comptroller halts funding for state IT modernization program
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is suspending funding for a technology initiative Gov. Bruce Rauner has said would save taxpayer money and promote efficiency, data security and transparency in state government.
Illinois has highest overall tax burden in the nation
Illinois has highest overall tax burden in the nation
A new report from WalletHub finds Illinois’ combined state and local tax burden is higher than that of every other state and the District of Columbia.
By Brendan Bakala
Unpaid sick leave will cost taxpayers $3.4 billion over the next three decades
Unpaid sick leave will cost taxpayers $3.4 billion over the next three decades
Top school district superintendents have used the sick-leave perk to boost their pensions by $350,000 or more over the course of their retirements.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections
Illinois Medicaid expansion costs are already double initial projections
Between 2014 and 2016, Illinois’ Medicaid expansion cost $4.6 billion more than its supporters had forecasted, crowding out services for Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.
By Jonathan Ingram
Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow
Sugary drink tax would be a bitter pill to swallow
Illinois holds more than $66 million worth of stocks and bonds in PepsiCo, Coca Cola and Dr. Pepper Snapple alone.
By Austin Berg
Illinois Senate’s spending “cap” doesn’t protect taxpayers, core services
Illinois Senate’s spending “cap” doesn’t protect taxpayers, core services
The Senate’s “grand bargain” contains a one-year spending “cap” that won’t improve fiscal responsibility. A real cap must come with structural spending reforms to return spending to a level that taxpayers can afford.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Rauner memo: Use TIF funds to save Chicago Public Schools
Rauner memo: Use TIF funds to save Chicago Public Schools
Gov. Bruce Rauner has suggested funding CPS with tax increment financing, or TIF, funds; this would temporarily bail out the district, but more needs to be done to address serious concerns about Chicago’s TIF program.
By Chris Lentino
Interest on Illinois’ pension debt is $9.1B per year
Interest on Illinois’ pension debt is $9.1B per year
A golden rule of finance is this: Debt that can’t be paid won’t be paid.
By Michael Lucci