Illinois families catching crossfire in scholarship fight
Illinois families catching crossfire in scholarship fight
Despite that booming demand, there are political efforts afoot to crush the scholarship program.
Infinity War: Madigan Thanos
Infinity War: Madigan Thanos
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.
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.
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.
Madigan’s progressive tax
Madigan’s progressive tax
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.
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Forgotten Illinois Harvey: Fixing a broken city in a broken state
Most days in Harvey, a suburb 20 miles south of Chicago, are quiet. Thousands of people and numerous businesses have left the city over the years, and the void left in their wake is plain to see. But on a cold and wet April 14, dozens of longtime residents still fighting for what’s left packed...
Chicago Sun-Times article on Illinois Policy Institute CEO riddled with errors, mischaracterizations
Chicago Sun-Times article on Illinois Policy Institute CEO riddled with errors, mischaracterizations
In a changing media landscape, it’s important that legacy media players like the Sun-Times live up to the tradition of journalistic excellence. Sadly, they failed in this article.
Government union lobbying turns legislation against students
Government union lobbying turns legislation against students
SB 2838 was meant to aid school districts – and students – by providing a means for schools to recruit substitute teachers. But government union lobbying transformed it into a pro-union, pro-strike bill that hinders educational opportunities for students during teacher strikes.
Illinois property taxes: There goes the neighborhood
Illinois property taxes: There goes the neighborhood
Carbondale could lead on easing food truck regulations
Carbondale could lead on easing food truck regulations
Though some of Illinois’ larger municipalities such as Chicago and Evanston have been overly restrictive in regulating food trucks, the Carbondale City Council has debated loosening them for its city, soliciting mixed opinions.
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.
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.