Decatur’s fiscal bind may lead to police and fire layoffs
Decatur’s fiscal bind may lead to police and fire layoffs
Reductions in state subsidies are one reason for Decatur’s predicament, but long-running pension woes are an even larger source of pain.
Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes
Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes
Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.
By Austin Berg
Inspector general: Personnel, procedural errors cost Cook County hospital system $165 million in revenue
Inspector general: Personnel, procedural errors cost Cook County hospital system $165 million in revenue
While the county hospital system loses out on revenue, county payroll and retirement costs continue to climb.
By Eric Kohn
Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism
Civic Federation calls for tax hikes, opposes sensible reform in budget criticism
The Civic Federation’s criticism of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget is a mixed bag, with its own proposals for Illinois’ financial crisis – including nearly $3 billion in tax hikes – missing the mark.
By Adam Schuster
Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts
Proposal: Make Illinois property taxes highest in the nation to pay state pension debts
A proposal to levy a statewide 1 percent residential property tax would vault Illinoisans’ property tax burden to the highest of all 50 states.
By Austin Berg
Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds
Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds
As local leaders reach an agreement with the city’s public safety unions, the retirement security of Carbondale’s police and fire workers slides further out of reach.
By Vincent Caruso
In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship
In budget bind, Decatur cuts golf sponsorship
The Decatur City Council moved to stop paying $20,000 to sponsor a golf tournament with the village of Forsyth, a sensible move for a shrinking city operating on a budget deficit.
US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting
US Supreme Court ruling means Illinois could legalize sports betting
A decisive opinion issued by the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a 1992 ban on sports gambling, putting the ball in Springfield’s court.
By Vincent Caruso
Lawmakers to homeowners: ‘You’ll get nothing and like it’
Lawmakers to homeowners: ‘You’ll get nothing and like it’
In a matter of hours, Illinoisans saw bipartisan opposition to property tax relief and bipartisan support for higher property taxes.
By Austin Berg
Senate President John Cullerton says Illinois doesn’t need a revenue estimate
Senate President John Cullerton says Illinois doesn’t need a revenue estimate
Agreeing on how much money one has to spend is a basic first step of budgeting.
By Adam Schuster
Property tax bills hit Kane County mailboxes
Property tax bills hit Kane County mailboxes
Homeowners’ 2017 property tax bills (payable in 2018) outpace the state and national average, when measured as a share of home value.
By Austin Berg
61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K
61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K
More than half of the full-time village workforce takes home total compensation over $100,000 annually.
By Vincent Caruso
Property tax bills en route for Rock Island County residents
Property tax bills en route for Rock Island County residents
Homeowners’ 2017 property tax bills (payable in 2018) outpace the state and national average, when measured as a share of home value.
By Austin Berg
Cap spending now: Illinois taxpayers need a responsible budget this year
Cap spending now: Illinois taxpayers need a responsible budget this year
Lawmakers should voluntarily adopt a spending cap to give taxpayers the certainty they deserve.
By Adam Schuster