The crisis hits home: Illinois’ local pension problem
The crisis hits home: Illinois’ local pension problem
Many of Illinois' local pension funds are nearing insolvency.
Illinois’ ‘obesity epidemic’
Illinois’ ‘obesity epidemic’
In a recent editorial, Better Government Association, or BGA, President Andy Shaw debates examines Illinois’ “obesity epidemic.” But bulging waistlines are not the target of Shaw’s ire. Instead, he complains about Illinois’ abundance of taxing bodies. “This is about a state that’s morbidly obese when it comes to government: Illinois has nearly 7,000 separate taxing...
Quinn’s State of the State offers no blueprints for turning around Illinois
Quinn’s State of the State offers no blueprints for turning around Illinois
On Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn gave his State of the State speech to the Illinois General Assembly and touted what he called a “five-year blueprint” to create more jobs, deliver stronger education and build an economy that works for everyone. With such a lofty promise, one would believe the five-year blueprint was full of landmark...
Term Limits
Term Limits
More than any other state, Illinois is a case study in why term limits for elected officials are needed. In Illinois, entrenched incumbents control campaign finance laws and gerrymander electoral districts to consolidate political power with legislative leaders. They also deprive Illinois citizens of the right to participate in meaningful, contested elections. Facts 1. Illinois...
Health department shuts down 11-year-old girl’s cupcake business
Health department shuts down 11-year-old girl’s cupcake business
Chloe Stirling, an 11-year old from Madison County, dreams of one day running her own bakery. Starting at such a young age, the sky is the limit for her baking dreams. And if state and local regulators have their way, that bakery will not be in Illinois. “Hey, Cupcake!” is Chloe’s first start at a...
Illinois LLC fees need to be cut
Illinois LLC fees need to be cut
The structure of a limited liability company, or LLC, offers great advantages for small businesses, such as allowing start-ups and small businesses to avoid the extra tax burdens of corporations. At the same time, the LLC structure protects the owners from the excessive liability of sole proprietorships and partnerships. In Illinois, the LLC is burdened...
Real State of the State
Real State of the State
JOBS AND GROWTH Illinois has the third-highest unemployment rate in the nation More than 1 million Illinoisans are unemployed or underemployed Illinois is projected to be dead last in jobs growth in 2014 78,713 Illinoisans have given up and left the workforce since Dec. 2012 Illinois paid out $266M in improper unemployment insurance payments Illinois...
Poll finds majority of Americans want to return to pre-ObamaCare health care
Poll finds majority of Americans want to return to pre-ObamaCare health care
While we can expect President Barack Obama to claim success for his signature legislation, commonly referred to as ObamaCare, a growing share of Americans understand the reality of the health-care overhaul. According to a recent Reason/Rupe poll, the majority of Americans would like to return to the pre-ObamaCare health care system, despite all of its...
Illinois’ unemployment rate third-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate third-worst in the nation
The state ended 2013 – a year of dismal employment – with an even worse December. Illinois moved from having the fourth-worst unemployment rate in November to the third-worst in December, falling behind Michigan. Only Nevada and Rhode Island remain worse. The unemployment rate in Illinois fell to 8.6 percent from 8.7 percent, while the...
New study shows there’s no such thing as a lost cause when it comes to education
New study shows there’s no such thing as a lost cause when it comes to education
It’s never too late to help a struggling student. An amazing new study conducted by the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Lab shows that intense tutoring combined with group behavioral counseling can help high school students with weak math skills, chronic truancy and disciplinary problems improve their performance. The study showed impressive gains. In fact,...
Madigan’s Illinois pension fix: $15B less in savings, more gimmicks
Madigan’s Illinois pension fix: $15B less in savings, more gimmicks
Not unlike ObamaCare, a bill Congress had to pass “to find out what’s in it,” Illinois’ General Assembly passed a pension fix in December 2013 without an official scoring of the bill. During floor debates, House Leader Mike Madigan and proponents of Senate Bill 1 promised $160 billion in savings over 30 years. Many opponents...
Top 10 facts every Illinoisan should know about ObamaCare and Medicaid
Top 10 facts every Illinoisan should know about ObamaCare and Medicaid
The Affordable Care Act, or ACA, commonly known as ObamaCare, is a train wreck. For many, since ObamaCare was enacted the cost of coverage has dramatically increased and will continue to do so. People aren’t enrolling in ObamaCare at the rate the Obama administration predicted – by a long shot. And many are finding out...
Gov. Quinn’s past State of the State addresses vs. reality
Gov. Quinn’s past State of the State addresses vs. reality
This Wednesday, Gov. Pat Quinn will take the pulpit in front of the Illinois General Assembly and give his annual State of the State address. The speech, which is given annually by the standing governor, is an opportunity for the governor to give his view on the condition of the state, and how they envision...
Illinoisans ready for tax-hike sunset
Illinoisans ready for tax-hike sunset
With Illinois taxpayers just one year away from the income-tax rate sunset, the push from tax hungry politicians to raise rates again is growing. State politicians are using scare tactics to dupe Illinoisans into paying higher taxes. Their goal is to make the temporary 2011 income tax hike permanent, or worse: increase taxes again with...