Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Amid a proposed record budget, lawmakers should put price tags on their bills
Legislators should use fiscal notes to show taxpayers the economic impact of their proposals.
REPORTS
Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances
Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly
Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan
Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends
The State of The State: Illinois leaders partly responsible for a sluggish recovery
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Vallas: J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ affordability champion?
Illinois is one of the least affordable states in the nation. Blame high taxes, public pensions and structural debt.
Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly
Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly
Some communities saw their bills rise 75% or more.
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals
Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants $589 million in business-focused tax hikes. That would endanger Illinois’ long-term economic stability.
Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing
Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing
The money would be spread across several programs meant to create more units.
Illinois lawmakers considering statewide bag tax
Illinois lawmakers considering statewide bag tax
Illinoisans would pay a new bag tax under a proposed bill in Springfield. The tax would only deepen concerns that the state keeps increasing the cost burden.
Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected
Springfield proposals pushing income tax plan voters already rejected
Illinois voters rejected a graduated income tax in 2020. State politicians are trying again.
Illinois top 10 for highest in-state tuition, new bill to find out why
Illinois top 10 for highest in-state tuition, new bill to find out why
A new bill in Springfield would provide a roadmap to make higher education more affordable and competitive.
Pritzker’s $56 billion budget relies on $700 million in new revenue
Pritzker’s $56 billion budget relies on $700 million in new revenue
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $56 billion budget proposal for 2027 relies in more than $700 million in new revenue.
Waste watch: Illinois uses temporary federal aid to fund ongoing social programs
Waste watch: Illinois uses temporary federal aid to fund ongoing social programs
Illinois lawmakers diverted at least $74 million in one-time pandemic relief funds to select social programs and nonprofits.
Pritzker proposes record-setting $56 billion budget
Pritzker proposes record-setting $56 billion budget
Spending proposal features $1 billion in updated revenue assumptions, $589 million in tax and fee hikes and $139 million in fund sweeps.
Illinois’ increased revenue because of federal economy, not state lawmakers
Illinois’ increased revenue because of federal economy, not state lawmakers
Higher tax revenue paints a better picture for Illinois’ budget, but increases have been driven by strong national economy, rather than local policy.