Illinois has higher gas prices than national average, all neighboring states, heading into Memorial Day weekend
Illinois has higher gas prices than national average, all neighboring states, heading into Memorial Day weekend
Motorists in Chicago face higher gas prices than the national and state average, due in part to the multiple layers of taxes heaped upon by state, county and local government.
By Brendan Bakala
Lombard school district pays more than $400,000 to dismiss 2 administrators
Lombard school district pays more than $400,000 to dismiss 2 administrators
A DuPage County school district is severing ties with two administrators before their contracts expire, and it’s going to cost taxpayers.
Rosemont to build taxpayer-funded baseball stadium
Rosemont to build taxpayer-funded baseball stadium
The village of Rosemont is moving forward on a $60 million taxpayer-funded baseball stadium.
Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois
Fact-checking BGA’s claims on ‘low-spending’ Illinois
While the Better Government Association has claimed Illinois’ budget contains no fat to trim, a deeper analysis reveals the state has many areas of expensive inefficiency to reform in state and local government costs, the Medicaid program and K-12 education.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Illinois Senate Democrats pass $5.4B tax increase
Each Illinois household would pay an additional $1,125 in taxes each year, on average, under the Senate's tax-hike plan.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
7 Illinois properties rank among nation’s top 100 property tax bills
Though most of the top 100 property tax bills came from New York, the state with the second most entries was Illinois. The 13th highest bill in the country belonged to Exelon’s nuclear generating station in Byron, Illinois, totaling $36.5 million in 2016.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
Illinois owes $3.5M in past-due utility bills
The state government owes the City Water, Light and Power of Springfield $3.5 million on past-due utility bills for state offices. The past-due utility bills are just one part of Illinois’ more than $14.3 billion bill backlog.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
Illinois House has spent less than 6 hours in session this month
House members have spent as much time playing softball and basketball as they have in session since the beginning of May.
By Austin Berg
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May
By Austin Berg
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has introduced a pension bill that is unfair to new and current workers, is potentially unconstitutional, bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
New numbers from the Illinois comptroller’s office show that Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog has climbed to more than $14 billion. In August 2016, Moody’s Investors Service predicted Illinois’ bill backlog would reach $14 billion by summer 2017.
By Brendan Bakala
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy is advocating for “a property tax system that can’t be abused by the wealthy and insiders.” But new documents suggest a Kennedy-led company enlisted the help of the city’s most politically connected property tax law firm to lower its bills.
By Austin Berg
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
State lawmakers’ latest bill not only forces a failed “evidence-based” education funding program on Illinois, but also bails out Chicago Public Schools.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Rare interview shows Madigan rejecting term limits, downplaying power
Rare interview shows Madigan rejecting term limits, downplaying power
House Speaker Mike Madigan ducks responsibility for Illinois' woes, spurns term limits, and minimizes his massive power in a new interview.
By Austin Berg