Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening
Illinois revenue free fall: Fiscal year-to-date -8.1 percent and worsening
Illinois’ revenues are falling each month of this fiscal year, and it will be difficult to change course.
House Dems OK $800 million in new spending after heated debate
House Dems OK $800 million in new spending after heated debate
Illinois has racked up $14 billion in unpaid bills.
By Greg Bishop
Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year
Illinois Department of Corrections paid 55 nurses over $100K per year
Despite a fight from the union, the Illinois Department of Corrections is replacing 124 unionized nurses with private subcontractors, which could save taxpayers millions each year.
Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass
Many St. Clair County residents would face higher sales tax rates than Chicago if sales tax proposals pass
If voters approve proposals to raise St. Clair County sales taxes by a combined 2 percent, people in some parts of St. Clair County would face total sales taxes of over 11 percent.
By Lea Thoele
Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?
Why are Illinois Democrats preparing to bail out bankers and cash-strapped local governments?
Bailout bills moving in the Illinois General Assembly would attempt to turn Illinois’ massive debt problems into guaranteed profits for banks and bondholders and a lower standard of living for other Illinoisans.
By Michael Lucci
Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders
Luxembourg’s ambassador sends letter to Illinois House leaders
Luxembourg’s ambassador to the United States has voiced objections to an Illinois House bill that would label Luxembourg a tax haven and subject corporations expatriated there to restrictions on investments and business dealings with the state of Illinois.
By Brendan Bakala
Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms
Moody’s warning of an “inflection point” in Illinois signals need for spending reforms
Illinois lawmakers should heed Moody’s Investors Service’s warnings about the state’s precarious economic health and dire fiscal situation and enact major structural spending reforms to balance the budget.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
Don’t be fooled by ‘penny for schools’ tax
A multibillion-dollar business based in Missouri — Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. — is making a pretty penny helping to hike local sales taxes across Illinois.
By Austin Berg
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
House resolution would oppose Illinois Senate’s internet streaming tax
Legislation with bipartisan support in the House would oppose the internet streaming tax proposal – which might not even be legal – in the Senate’s “grand bargain.”
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
Already among the nation’s highest, DuPage property tax rates to increase this year
With hundreds of taxing bodies in their county and inaction from Springfield, DuPage homeowners will soon see yet another property tax increase.
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Chicago Tribune investigation shows $2 million being spent on bonuses for the state lottery’s outgoing management firm
Despite being axed for bad performance, and in some cases not even doing its job, Northstar Lottery Group is collecting millions in fees and bonuses.
By Brendan Bakala
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Unbalanced Budget Response Act would allow Rauner to make cuts to balance the budget
Illinois House Bill 3868 would give Gov. Bruce Rauner the authority to trim costs and reorder the state’s spending priorities to balance the budget.
By Amy Korte
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
‘Grand bargain’ would cut private sector pay and continue government worker perks
Illinois state government works to prioritize special interests over taxpayers – and the budget deal being negotiated in the Senate would continue that.
By Michael Lucci
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
‘Evidence-based’ education funding doesn’t work, would cost Illinois taxpayers billions
An education-funding plan in the General Assembly is already proven to make unattainable goals at a high cost to taxpayers.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner