Rauner signs spending plan into law
Rauner signs spending plan into law
While it’s the closest the state has come to passing a balanced budget in years, Illinois’ new spending plan leaves a lot to be desired for taxpayers.
Illinois General Assembly passes bill mandating $40,000 minimum salary for teachers
Illinois General Assembly passes bill mandating $40,000 minimum salary for teachers
A bill that would raise the minimum salary for teachers to $40,000 now awaits Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature.
Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced
Budget gimmicks explained: Why the new Illinois spending plan is not balanced
Lawmakers claiming to have passed a balanced budget are relying on a number of common, but deceptive, budget maneuvers.
Belleville school districts are ripe for consolidation
Belleville school districts are ripe for consolidation
Illinois has more units of local government than any other state in the country, many of which are duplicative and overlapping. In Belleville, where the majority of the city’s school districts cover fewer students than the state average, consolidation efforts could boost efficiency while saving taxpayer dollars.
Illinois school districts spend taxpayer money on Springfield lobbying
Illinois school districts spend taxpayer money on Springfield lobbying
Residents are seeing property tax dollars flow toward lobbying for policies that increase homeowners’ property tax bills.
Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Illinois General Assembly passes state budget out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Lawmakers voted to approve the 1,245-page budget less than 24 hours after it was revealed to the public.
House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution
House passes Madigan’s progressive tax resolution
A majority of House lawmakers sided with the speaker over tapped-out taxpayers.
Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
Illinois Senate passes Cullerton budget, out of balance by as much as $1.5B
State senators voted to approve the 1,245-page budget just hours after it was made public.
As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow
As Alton shrinks, school district administrator salaries grow
More than half of local school district administrators earn more than $100,000, and those incomes will get a boost after a recent board decision.
More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K
More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K
Many school district employees’ earnings are more than double that of the typical Belleville household.
Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent
Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent
The excessive severance package comes as a bill curbing golden parachutes sits in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners
Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners
With one proposal to pay off Illinois’ pension debt asking the typical homeowner to pay more than $1,900 in additional property taxes for the next 30 years, the stakes for pension reform have never been clearer.
Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands
Elimination of Alton Township could be placed in voters’ hands
Taxpayers in the city of Alton, which has identical borders to that of Alton Township, could see savings through consolidation.
As budget deadline looms, Illinois lawmakers push bill aimed at carnival workers
As budget deadline looms, Illinois lawmakers push bill aimed at carnival workers
Springfield is struggling to juggle its priorities, with state lawmakers pressing up against time to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year.