It’s time Illinois legalized fireworks
It’s time Illinois legalized fireworks
The Land of Lincoln is one of only six states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.
Watered-down Illinois property tax ‘freeze’ fails to pass House
Watered-down Illinois property tax ‘freeze’ fails to pass House
On June 28 the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass Senate Bill 484, an illusory property tax freeze that did not offer real reform, left Chicago homeowners out in the cold, and would have left in place an opaque and expensive property tax system that benefits special interests over taxpayers.
Madigan’s spending plan is unreasonable
Madigan’s spending plan is unreasonable
Like the “grand bargain,” the Brady plan and the Illinois Senate Democrats’ budget before it, the Illinois House Democrats’ plan relies on more than $5 billion in new tax revenues because it includes no significant structural spending reforms.
Illinois Lottery IOU
Illinois Lottery IOU
Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects
Illinois Republican spending plan includes millions of dollars for suburban projects
Affluent communities would receive millions in grants under a Republican spending plan.
Illinois’ boiling frog
Illinois’ boiling frog
Day 8: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Day 8: Illinois House and Senate adjourn special session after 12 minutes
Eight days of special session have cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $400,000 for just over two hours of work.
Illinois’ so-called ‘property tax freeze’ legislation exempts Chicago Public Schools and city of Chicago
Illinois’ so-called ‘property tax freeze’ legislation exempts Chicago Public Schools and city of Chicago
Senate Bill 484 would offer a freeze in name only, as it fails to address the very costs that drive up Illinois homeowners’ property tax bills.
Taxes will account for nearly one-third of Chicago soda prices
Taxes will account for nearly one-third of Chicago soda prices
A new tax on sugary drinks designed to generate revenue for cash-strapped Cook County will be the third burdensome tax applied to soda prices in Chicago, making a $4 12-pack of soda in the city cost $5.97.
Term limits seemingly off the table in Illinois budget negotiations
Term limits seemingly off the table in Illinois budget negotiations
Nearly 4 out of 5 Illinoisans support term limits for lawmakers.
Democrats’ fake property tax freeze won’t save Illinois’ underwater housing market
Democrats’ fake property tax freeze won’t save Illinois’ underwater housing market
A four-year freeze riddled with exceptions won’t help Illinois homeowners. Illinoisans need a long-term freeze on local property tax levies and a cap on the tax burden for individual homeowners.
The history of Illinois’ fiscal crisis
The history of Illinois’ fiscal crisis
Illinois’ fiscal collapse is the culmination of decades of budget gimmicks and taxes used to paper over the state’s structural spending problems and misplaced priorities that favor special interests over ordinary Illinoisans.
Rauner’s reform demands: From 44 to 0
Rauner’s reform demands: From 44 to 0
Gov. Bruce Rauner has compromised over and over to strike a deal, to the point of abandoning every reform he once demanded. But no matter how much Rauner gave, House Speaker Mike Madigan never budged.
$70,000 a day in interest — the cost for Chicago Public Schools to borrow $387M
$70,000 a day in interest — the cost for Chicago Public Schools to borrow $387M
In two separate deals with JPMorgan, CPS borrowed $387M to make a teacher pension payment at end of June and as a result of the deal, will accumulate at least $7M in interest.