Madigan files, passes bill to nix lawmaker pay raises after blocking similar bill for weeks
Madigan files, passes bill to nix lawmaker pay raises after blocking similar bill for weeks
Amid the eighth week without a state budget, Illinois political gamesmanship rages on.
By Austin Berg
Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’
Trashed again: Fitch joins Moody’s in declaring Chicago Board of Education credit ‘junk’
If the district can’t get its finances in order, expect more teacher layoffs, school closings and large tax increases on Chicagoans.
By John Klingner
Rauner signs bill stopping welfare payments for the dead
Rauner signs bill stopping welfare payments for the dead
Illinois has spent millions of dollars on the deceased in recent years.
By Austin Berg
Illinois lawmakers receive generous, life-long health insurance
Illinois lawmakers receive generous, life-long health insurance
Illinois taxpayers spent $1.23 million this past year to provide health insurance to state lawmakers.
By Scott Reeder
Illinois politicians to receive pay raises despite Rauner efforts
Illinois politicians to receive pay raises despite Rauner efforts
Failing to pass a balanced budget is of little consequence to the state’s political class.
By Austin Berg
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.
By Ted Dabrowski
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
By Jeffrey Schwab
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.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
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.
By Lara Forsythe
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...
By Hilary Gowins
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.
By Darlene Senger
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.
By Heather Weiner
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.
By Bobby Shaw
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.
By Ted Dabrowski