Hidden bill: Chicago taxpayers and the Windy City crisis
Hidden bill: Chicago taxpayers and the Windy City crisis
Each Chicago household is on the hook for more than $63,800 in future tax bills – much of it for services already rendered.
Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget
Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget
UPDATED JULY 19: It’s almost inevitable that the state will violate either the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Illinois Constitution
Growing tax burden will push people out of Cook County and Chicago
Growing tax burden will push people out of Cook County and Chicago
City officials are pushing property-tax hikes, sales-tax hikes, and even a commuter tax and financial-transaction tax.
Despite Senate OKing one-month budget, Illinois no closer to a balanced budget
Despite Senate OKing one-month budget, Illinois no closer to a balanced budget
Temporary, unbalanced budget now moves to the governor’s desk for approval – Rauner has said he will veto the measure.
Chicago now home to the nation’s highest sales tax
Chicago now home to the nation’s highest sales tax
Buying local just got a lot less appealing for Chicagoans. The city reclaimed the highest sales-tax rate of any major city in the nation on July 15, when the Cook County Board, which oversees Illinois’ largest city, voted to raise its portion of the sales tax, bringing Chicago’s combined rate to 10.25 percent from 9.25...
Illinois House Democrats pass temporary budget, Senate must concur, Rauner says he won’t sign
Illinois House Democrats pass temporary budget, Senate must concur, Rauner says he won’t sign
Even if Senate Bill 2040 passes into law, it only buys the General Assembly a couple of weeks.
New bill would suspend Illinois lawmaker pay during budget impasse
New bill would suspend Illinois lawmaker pay during budget impasse
It is wrong that the General Assembly doesn’t have to feel the impact of their actions when they are responsible for other Illinoisans not receiving paychecks.
Illinois’ fiscal health ranks worst in the nation
Illinois’ fiscal health ranks worst in the nation
A new study puts Illinois’ state finances in dead last among the 50 states.
Growth through tax hikes? Illinois tried it – and failed
Growth through tax hikes? Illinois tried it – and failed
Arguing that tax hikes are a precursor to growth and a flood of new residents is simply backward.
Rally around the flag
Rally around the flag
Smashing the status quo means respecting Illinoisans’ interests.
Who really deserves blame in Illinois’ budget impasse?
Who really deserves blame in Illinois’ budget impasse?
If nothing is getting done in the Capitol, voters should look first to those most capable of taking swift action: Madigan and his Democrat supermajority.
Cook County judge rules some state workers get minimum wage in absence of budget
Cook County judge rules some state workers get minimum wage in absence of budget
Figuring out who qualifies for the payments will be a logistical nightmare, according to the state comptroller’s office.
Rauner vetoes raises for state lawmakers
Rauner vetoes raises for state lawmakers
Like so many Illinoisans working in a stagnant state economy, state lawmakers will not receive pay raises this year. But House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton will still receive bonuses in excess of $25,000.
In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution
In budget battle, Illinois leaders should respect the Constitution
State leaders took an oath to uphold the Illinois Constitution. But they show deference to the document only as it suits them.