Mark Zandi and CTBA trying to pull Keynesian rabbit out of hat
Mark Zandi and CTBA trying to pull Keynesian rabbit out of hat
The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) wants taxes raised on hard-working Illinoisans by at least $2.4 billion annually through a progressive personal income tax, which taxes individual income at ever-higher marginal tax rates. Currently, Illinois has a flat 5 percent income tax. In a recent report, the CTBA argues for this tax hike by...
By Lawrence McQuillan
Why does Illinois need grant transparency?
Why does Illinois need grant transparency?
Grant transparency in Illinois is vital to ensure that state spending is being used as efficiently and effectively as possible. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 3773 would strengthen the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal statute to include grant recipient information collection and reporting. What would this bill do? It would post the purpose and results of grants to nonprofit...
Another Illinois business opposes plastic bag regs
Another Illinois business opposes plastic bag regs
By now you probably know that I’m no fan of the plastic bag regulationscurrently up for consideration in the House. Neither is the editorial boardof the Chicago Tribune. Since my article ran back in April, I’ve been contacted by Illinois businesses in the plastic bag and film sector, and the message I’m hearing is the same: they...
By Chris Andriesen
IL State Senate votes to end legislative scholarship program
IL State Senate votes to end legislative scholarship program
Yesterday, the Illinois State Senate voted 43-5-5 to end a controversial legislative scholarship program that had been abused multiple times by elected officials. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
Institute on ABC 7: Skirmish over teacher pensions
Institute on ABC 7: Skirmish over teacher pensions
The Institute's John Tillman discusses whether or not teachers are actually paying their share of their pension costs.
Want more transparency? Union says “no”
Want more transparency? Union says “no”
For the second time in as many months, AFSCME opposed a measure that would bring more transparency to Illinois.
Institute on ABC 7: Playing Favorites
Institute on ABC 7: Playing Favorites
The Institute's John Tillman appeared on ABC 7 to discuss our latest pension report, Playing Favorites.
Institute in Rockford Register Star: Report on pensions worth studying
Institute in Rockford Register Star: Report on pensions worth studying
The Institute's pension report was featured in this editorial in the Rockford Register Star.
Playing favorites: Education pension spending favors wealthy, suburban schools
Playing favorites: Education pension spending favors wealthy, suburban schools
The problem State education funding is designed to ensure a base amount of money is available to every student in Illinois. To that end, the state strives to send more money to poor districts and less money to districts with a healthy property tax base. But a bird’s eye view of Illinois education spending reveals...
Institute stands with legislators to prevent corruption
Institute stands with legislators to prevent corruption
In the wake of allegations that the city of Dixon’s comptroller stole over $53 million from the city, the Institute is working with Republicans in the Illinois Senate to pass legislation that will prevent this kind of fraud from happening elsewhere. This morning, Brian Costin, the Institute’s Director of Government Reform, stood with State Sens. Dan...
By Brian Costin