Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Despite benefit cuts, number of students pursuing education continues to grow

Despite benefit cuts, number of students pursuing education continues to grow

In 2010, the Illinois Legislature passed a pension bill that cut retirement benefits for new teachers. Both of the state’s major public school teachers unions said at the time that it would make it harder for Illinois schools to recruit educators.

California’s fake reforms yield credit upgrade

California’s fake reforms yield credit upgrade

In January, Standard and Poor’s upgraded California’s credit rating to A from A-, an action the rating agency said resulted from the state’s “improved fiscal condition.”

Proponents of progressive tax say rates can be decided later

Proponents of progressive tax say rates can be decided later

State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, recently proposed to implement another income tax hike in Illinois is gaining interest across the state. A progressive income tax increases taxes on individuals more as they make more money.

New House Rules stifle negotiations

New House Rules stifle negotiations

The Illinois House of Representatives met yesterday for the first time since being inaugurated on Jan. 9 to adopt the House Rules, HR 34. The most significant change in the rules for the 98th General Assembly is that all bills must receive the approval of the Rules Committee to be sent to substantive committees, where the legislation...

By Matt Paprocki, Jane McEnaney

Fitch warnings don’t mean kick the can down the road

Fitch warnings don’t mean kick the can down the road

Illinois’ credit rating received a warning today from Fitch Ratings. What Fitch cited as the “ongoing inability of the state to address its large and growing unfunded pension liability” means a rating downgrade is likely unless reforms are passed within six months. That warning is just another whack for a state that already has been downgraded...

Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent

Early warning system to thank for keeping 2011 tax increase from becoming permanent

During a lame duck session two years ago, the Illinois General Assembly passed a 67 percent income tax increase on all Illinois families. When the bill was filed in early 2011, almost no one knew of its existence. I was the House staffer on revenue at the time, and I only heard about it at 6...

By Matt Paprocki

Illinois’’ high-tax environment causes historical out-migration

Illinois’’ high-tax environment causes historical out-migration

The Illinois Policy Institute has long warned that Illinois’ high-tax environment hurts the state’s economy. Prior to the 2011 income tax hike, we sounded the alarm that higher taxes would cause people and businesses to leave the state.

By Brian Costin

PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan

PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan

PRESS RELEASE from the ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Rickert Diana@IllinoisPolicy.org or (312) 607-4977   Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2013) – The Illinois Policy Institute released the following statement from CEO John Tillman regarding pension reform talks: “Illinois can be an economic...

Local Transparency Project Endorsements

Local Transparency Project Endorsements

Municipal Endorsements  Village of Orland Park “Many different local municipalities have reached out to us since our scores (100%) were announced publicly, they want to know how we did it, and all the credit goes to the Illinois Policy Institute and their staff for working with us to improve our online transparency strategy.” – Joe LaMargo,...

By Brian Costin