Capitol Updates: April 15 week in review
Capitol Updates: April 15 week in review
The progressive tax, medical marijuana and multidistrict virtual charter schools
Alcohol can’t escape Illinois tax grab
Alcohol can’t escape Illinois tax grab
Illinois current state excise taxes per gallon of beer ($0.23), wine ($1.39) and spirits ($8.55) are higher than most neighboring states.
Illinois unemployment stalls at 9.5 percent
Illinois unemployment stalls at 9.5 percent
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced today that the Illinois unemployment rate remained at 9.5 percent in March. Three months ago it was 8.6 percent.
Illinois’ pension liability more than doubles under Moody’s new accounting rules
Illinois’ pension liability more than doubles under Moody’s new accounting rules
Moodys is set to require states and local governments to use more transparent and realistic accounting rules when they report their true pension obligations. And that means Illinois debt and underfunding numbers will skyrocket.
Chicago hospital hit with shocking Medicare and Medicaid fraud charges
Chicago hospital hit with shocking Medicare and Medicaid fraud charges
Federal authorities have raided Sacred Heart Hospital on Chicagos West Side after alleged crimes of medically unnecessary sedation, intubation and tracheotomy procedures on patients in an attempt to defraud Medicare and Medicaid.
Quinn OKs more than $12 billion in new infrastructure spending
Quinn OKs more than $12 billion in new infrastructure spending
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a proposal on Wednesday to spend $12.62 billion over the next six years on transportation projects.
Gov. Perry to Illinois businesses: Get out while theres still time
Gov. Perry to Illinois businesses: Get out while theres still time
Texas Gov. Rick Perry wrote a letter to businesses in Illinois, offering them a way to escape the states dire fiscal mess and punishing business climate move to Texas.
Springfield City Council votes to hike sales tax
Springfield City Council votes to hike sales tax
After several hours of debate, the city council voted 6-3 to raise the sales tax from 8 percent to 8.5 percent to repay an $86.6 million, 15-year bond issue to finance the three-year infrastructure program.
Chicago Digital Learning Symposium
Chicago Digital Learning Symposium
Illinois Policy Institute, in partnership with the Union League Club of Chicago and its Public Affairs Committee, is hosting the Digital Learning Symposium in Chicago.
Union attempts to take over charter schools
Union attempts to take over charter schools
If you can't beat them, join them.
Illinois’ income tax turns 44
Illinois’ income tax turns 44
Forty-four years ago this week, Illinois began collecting a state income tax.
Setting the record straight on the virtual school moratorium bill
Setting the record straight on the virtual school moratorium bill
Early last week, members of the Illinois House Education Committee voted to allow an amendment to House Bill 494, which aims to establish a three-year moratorium on virtual schools in Illinois, to go to the House floor.
Illinois is more than 100 days late on its official financial reports
Illinois is more than 100 days late on its official financial reports
291 days and counting...
Illinois takes on tax day with a resolution opposing the progressive income tax
Illinois takes on tax day with a resolution opposing the progressive income tax
The good news: today state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, introduced a measure that opposes efforts to pass the next multibillion dollar tax hike in Illinois a progressive income tax.