A property tax freeze isn’t enough
A property tax freeze isn’t enough
One in six Illinois homeowners are seriously underwater.
Illinois budget deficit projected to hit $6.2B by June 30, grow to $7.7B by June 2018
Illinois budget deficit projected to hit $6.2B by June 30, grow to $7.7B by June 2018
The state’s bill backlog is expected to hit $22.7 billion and pension costs are predicted to grow 14 percent by fiscal year 2018.
Illinois’ pension debt grew by $25B during 2011 income tax hike
Illinois’ pension debt grew by $25B during 2011 income tax hike
Despite $30 billion in extra tax revenue, the politicians who passed Illinois’ 2011 income tax hike failed to solve Illinois’ pension crisis or pay off the state’s bill backlog.
A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly
A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly
Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights to urge policymakers to budget based on available revenue — or be prepared to subject tax increases to direct voter approval.
Teresa Fiorante
Teresa Fiorante
“I shouldn’t have to go live with my kids. I’ve done everything right to be independent, but now I can’t be independent. My property taxes have doubled, and it’s going to force me out of my home. It’s like they have a gun to your head: Pay this bill or leave the state.” Teresa Fiorante...
Bill to impose ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers fails to move in Illinois House
Bill to impose ‘privilege tax’ on investment managers fails to move in Illinois House
Senate Bill 1719 would impose a 20 percent surcharge on fees earned by investment managers, but the spring legislative session ended with the Illinois House failing to call the measure for a vote.
Lawsuit seeks back pay for Illinois lawmakers
Lawsuit seeks back pay for Illinois lawmakers
Former state Sen. Michael Noland is suing for back pay after the General Assembly nixed cost-of-living adjustments and forced furlough days.
Chicago prepares for yet another telephone tax hike
Chicago prepares for yet another telephone tax hike
Chicagoans already pay the highest in the nation 911 surcharge and a newly passed bill would raise that rate even higher.
Illinoisans pay the fourth-highest wireless taxes in the country
Illinoisans pay the fourth-highest wireless taxes in the country
Illinoisans already pay the nation’s fourth-highest wireless taxes. But a new bill awaiting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature would make this burden even heavier.
Illinois Senate’s education finance bill bails out Chicago, fails at reform
Illinois Senate’s education finance bill bails out Chicago, fails at reform
Senate Bill 1 provides a $215 million annual pension bailout and other carve-outs worth hundreds of millions of dollars to CPS.
Amended cursive writing mandate passes Illinois Senate
Amended cursive writing mandate passes Illinois Senate
A Senate amendment would require public elementary schools to teach cursive writing, while the original House bill would extend the handwriting instruction mandate to all Illinois public elementary and high schools.
Bill preventing pension double dipping awaits Rauner’s signature
Bill preventing pension double dipping awaits Rauner’s signature
House Bill 418 would prevent retired police officers from double dipping in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, which has placed a burden on taxpayers at the local level.
St. Clair, Madison counties home to multimillion-dollar property tax slush funds
St. Clair, Madison counties home to multimillion-dollar property tax slush funds
Property taxes are set to increase in Madison and St. Clair counties, and local taxpayers should know that through TIF districts, politicians divert tax dollars that could go toward schools, libraries and public services to separate accounts that foster a lack of transparency and accountability.
Illinois owes over $250 billion in pension debt
Illinois owes over $250 billion in pension debt
Moody’s Investors Service cited Illinois’ $250 billion in pension debt and the lengthy budget impasse as reasons for its one-notch credit downgrade.