Metra inks $2.7M in contracts to lobbyist firms
Metra inks $2.7M in contracts to lobbyist firms
Metra officials say they’ve reduced the cost of the lobbyist firms’ contracts by bringing down monthly retainer costs by 15 percent.
Madigan dupes another governor
Madigan dupes another governor
Madigan has stared down Gov. Bruce Rauner for more than 700 days and Rauner just blinked.
Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session in under 10 minutes
Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session in under 10 minutes
The Illinois House of Representatives met for about seven minutes, and the Senate met for approximately 10 minutes on June 21 before adjourning from special session – costing Illinois taxpayers $50,000 for less than 20 minutes of work.
Republican plan perpetuates Illinois’ financial crisis
Republican plan perpetuates Illinois’ financial crisis
The Illinois Republicans’ budget proposal includes billions in tax hikes and has an ineffective spending “cap” that will likely result in deficit spending by 2020. The plan’s lack of reforms sets taxpayers up for a permanent tax hike in 2022.
Special session will cost taxpayers $50,000 per day
Special session will cost taxpayers $50,000 per day
The cost of getting lawmakers to Springfield alone will run taxpayers $21,000 per day.
Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog grows to more than $15B
Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog grows to more than $15B
The state’s backlog of unpaid bills is expected to reach $22.7 billion if Illinois goes a third fiscal year without a budget.
IDOT announces it may halt construction if no budget is passed
IDOT announces it may halt construction if no budget is passed
Roadwork will cease at the end of June unless lawmakers appropriate funds for IDOT.
Progressive income taxes in Illinois’ neighboring states target middle-class workers
Progressive income taxes in Illinois’ neighboring states target middle-class workers
Progressive tax proposals by Illinois Democrats would punish those in Illinois’ middle class who earn $50,000 or more and make the state even less competitive with its neighbors.
What’s a junk bond and why Illinois will be America’s first “junk” state
What’s a junk bond and why Illinois will be America’s first “junk” state
Illinois’ bonds are currently priced like they are junk-rated.
Powerball, Mega Millions to drop Illinois by June 30 due to budget crisis
Powerball, Mega Millions to drop Illinois by June 30 due to budget crisis
Popular lotteries may stop gambling on Illinois.
Illinois’ neighboring states boast better credit ratings, economies
Illinois’ neighboring states boast better credit ratings, economies
Illinois’ credit rating spirals downward while residents flee to surrounding states with stronger economies and lower taxes.
7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers
7 reasons the Illinois Republicans’ budget plan fails taxpayers
The budget plan proposed by Republican General Assembly members would raise taxes by over $5 billion without enacting any significant spending reforms.
Property taxes in northwest Chicago suburbs to spike by $560 on average
Property taxes in northwest Chicago suburbs to spike by $560 on average
Lawmakers need to enact comprehensive property tax reform to provide relief for overburdened state taxpayers.
House Republicans’ 4-year property tax freeze fails homeowners
House Republicans’ 4-year property tax freeze fails homeowners
Local spending drivers need to be reformed to truly relieve taxpayers of Illinois’ highest-in-the-nation property taxes.