Budget + Tax

Quinn Spokesperson Wrong About Budget Cuts

Quinn Spokesperson Wrong About Budget Cuts

Following the Senate Republicans’ press conference Thursday, Illinois Statehouse News released an interview with the governor’s budget spokesperson, Kelly Kraft.  In her interview, Kelly paints a doomsday picture of what Illinois would be like after cutting $6 billion from the budget. Kelly states the governor has already made dramatic budget cuts, but we know that’s not true....

Competitive Grant Funding: An Innovative Approach to Program and Grant Budgeting

Competitive Grant Funding: An Innovative Approach to Program and Grant Budgeting

by Collin Hitt The Illinois Policy Institute released Budget Solutions 2012 on Tuesday, March 8. To date, it is the only detailed, balanced, sustainable budget plan that has been published on state government general fund spending. The plan contains several recommendations for education and Medicaid spending, but it also includes one idea that was completely new and...

Budget Solutions 2012: A Sustainable Path for Illinois

Budget Solutions 2012: A Sustainable Path for Illinois

In February, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn proposed an unbalanced budget that relied on hefty tax increases and $8.75 billion in borrowing – not to mention, increased overall state spending by $1.7 billion. If followed, Gov. Quinn’s budget will prompt Illinois to run recurring, annual deficits of nearly $3 billion by the year 2016. By the...

Amazon Tax Passes, Jobs Flee

Amazon Tax Passes, Jobs Flee

by Mark Cavers For months, the Institute and others have been warning that passing the Amazon Tax bill would force even more jobs out of our state. Government policies do not take place in a bubble, they have real life impacts. Yesterday Governor Quinn signed the Amazon Tax into law. This effectively cuts off the revenue streams for numerous Illinois based companies that...

The Bad Habit We Just Can’t Kick

The Bad Habit We Just Can’t Kick

Since 2009 the Illinois General Assembly has tried over and over again to pass a tobacco tax which will unfairly target small business owners and the poor.

More Budget Reforms Coming to Cook County?

More Budget Reforms Coming to Cook County?

Newly elected Board President Toni Preckwinkle is saying and doing the right things when it comes to solving a budget crisis.

Budget Solutions 2012 in Sauk Valley Newspapers

Budget Solutions 2012 in Sauk Valley Newspapers

The Sauk Valley Newspapers editorial board encouraged Gov. Quinn to consider ideas from Budget Solutions 2012 in an editorial published March 15.

Budgeting from an Artificial High

Budgeting from an Artificial High

After a decade of increasing spending, in this years budget debate responsible spenders start off with their backs to the goal line.

Budget Solutions 2012 on WMAY in Springfield

Budget Solutions 2012 on WMAY in Springfield

Institute CEO John Tillman spoke on 970-AM WMAY about Budget Solutions 2012, a balanced, line-by-line alternative to the budget proposed by Gov. Quinn.

Amazon Tax Passes, Jobs Flee

Amazon Tax Passes, Jobs Flee

"It's a shame we have to consider leaving our longtime home in Illinois, but we will do what is best for our business."