Wasteful TIF spending in Belleville
Wasteful TIF spending in Belleville
As property tax bills land in mailboxes in Madison and St. Clair counties, TIF districts sap local tax dollars.
Illinois has 4th-most Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in U.S.
Illinois has 4th-most Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in U.S.
Although Illinois hosts corporate headquarters of many large companies, its economy lags in blue-collar job opportunities.
Moody’s downgrades 7 Illinois universities, 5 are junk
Moody’s downgrades 7 Illinois universities, 5 are junk
Illinois universities have hiked tuition and relied on state subsidies to pay for exorbitant administrative salaries — and now credit rating agencies are punishing them for that destructive behavior.
Pennsylvania introduces 401(k)-style plans for government workers
Pennsylvania introduces 401(k)-style plans for government workers
The size of Illinois’ pension crisis requires even bolder pension reform that includes 401(k)-style plans for public employees.
Lakewood right to push for elimination of TIF district
Lakewood right to push for elimination of TIF district
The village board of Lakewood, Illinois, will decide whether to keep a TIF district approved in 2015 in a vote scheduled for June 13.
Madigan’s tax hikes
Madigan’s tax hikes
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass
House Bill 2379 would require fiscal impact statements on every executive order. However, less than 3 percent of bills enacted into law in the 99th General Assembly had fiscal notes.
A property tax freeze isn’t enough
A property tax freeze isn’t enough
One in six Illinois homeowners are seriously underwater.
Illinois budget deficit projected to hit $6.2B by June 30, grow to $7.7B by June 2018
Illinois budget deficit projected to hit $6.2B by June 30, grow to $7.7B by June 2018
The state’s bill backlog is expected to hit $22.7 billion and pension costs are predicted to grow 14 percent by fiscal year 2018.
3 reasons charter school teachers should vote against union merger with CTU
3 reasons charter school teachers should vote against union merger with CTU
Unionized teachers at Chicago charter schools are voting on whether to merge with the Chicago Teachers Union – a move that would be detrimental to both teachers and students in Chicago.
Illinois government
Illinois government
Chicago’s inspector general suggests unions negotiate commonsense provisions in government worker contracts
Chicago’s inspector general suggests unions negotiate commonsense provisions in government worker contracts
Among the inspector general’s suggestions are shortening the length of contracts, allowing subcontractors to take over more services, and keeping employee compensation in line with what taxpayers can afford.
Illinois’ pension debt grew by $25B during 2011 income tax hike
Illinois’ pension debt grew by $25B during 2011 income tax hike
Despite $30 billion in extra tax revenue, the politicians who passed Illinois’ 2011 income tax hike failed to solve Illinois’ pension crisis or pay off the state’s bill backlog.
A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly
A taxpayer bill of rights would protect residents and encourage lawmakers to budget responsibly
Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights to urge policymakers to budget based on available revenue — or be prepared to subject tax increases to direct voter approval.