Lawmakers stand for spending cap in Springfield
Lawmakers stand for spending cap in Springfield
A constitutional amendment to impose fiscal discipline on state lawmakers is gaining bipartisan support.
Committee passes Senate bill taking aim at ‘golden parachute’ severance payouts
Committee passes Senate bill taking aim at ‘golden parachute’ severance payouts
The Government Severance Pay Act would restrict outgoing officials from exiting office with excessive severance pay.
Controversial hiring in McHenry County townships boost calls for consolidation
Controversial hiring in McHenry County townships boost calls for consolidation
The appearance of patronage hires in some McHenry County townships highlights consolidation efforts at the state and local level.
Report: Kendall County property tax rates more than double the national average
Report: Kendall County property tax rates more than double the national average
The average property tax bill for a Kendall County homeowner in 2017 totaled nearly $6,500.
Report: Metro East property tax rates nearly double national average
Report: Metro East property tax rates nearly double national average
Both Madison and St. Clair County taxpayers paid a higher effective tax rate than the national average in 2017, a year which also saw continued outmigration from the region.
Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package
Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package
While details surrounding the ex-official’s separation with the village remain undisclosed to the public, trustees’ approval of his $161,000 severance package went unobstructed.
Will Illinois pass a budget this year?
Will Illinois pass a budget this year?
History shows lawmakers prefer to avoid tough but necessary choices.
Illinois House passes bill stopping pay raises for lawmakers
Illinois House passes bill stopping pay raises for lawmakers
House Bill 5760 would stop lawmakers’ scheduled cost-of-living adjustment. Illinois lawmakers are the fifth-highest paid state lawmakers in the nation.
House bill would shield retirement income from taxation
House bill would shield retirement income from taxation
A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution would render residents’ retirement earnings off limits for Springfield.
Bad accounting hides true size of Illinois’ budget deficits
Bad accounting hides true size of Illinois’ budget deficits
Poor accounting practices prevent true financial transparency in Illinois state government.
Senate Republicans sign on to resolution opposing progressive income tax
Senate Republicans sign on to resolution opposing progressive income tax
Following their colleagues in the House, 19 members of the Illinois Senate have signed on to a resolution opposing a progressive tax in Illinois.
Tax Day: Where do Illinoisans’ state tax dollars go?
Tax Day: Where do Illinoisans’ state tax dollars go?
Pensions and employee health insurance costs consumed nearly a quarter of Illinois’ fiscal year 2018 budget.
Illinois’ Tax Freedom Day doesn’t come for another 2 weeks
Illinois’ Tax Freedom Day doesn’t come for another 2 weeks
Illinoisans will have to work for 119 days this year to pay their federal, state and local tax bills.
Report: Average collar county property tax bill reaches as high as $8,890
Report: Average collar county property tax bill reaches as high as $8,890
Homeowners in Chicago’s collar counties faced some of the highest average property tax bills in the state in 2017.