On policy and political competition
On policy and political competition
Commentary from John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute.
10 Peoria-area municipalities fail government transparency audit
10 Peoria-area municipalities fail government transparency audit
Peoria, Ill. (April 11, 2012) – Ten out of eleven government agencies in the Peoria-area received failing grades in an online transparency audit conducted by local citizen activists and the Illinois Policy Institute. Members of the Peoria 9/12 group worked with the Institute to grade local government websites on how much public data is readily...
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
The problem Illinois state government owes more than $83 billion to the pension plans it operates for retired employees; servicing this obligation is crippling the state’s budget. But pension debt is only part of the story. Much less publicized are the additional obligations the state has taken on to provide health insurance for pensioners, the...
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Another $54 billion?! In addition to pensions, the state owes billions more in retiree health benefits
Illinois state government owes more than $83 billion to the pension plans it operates for retired employees; servicing this obligation is crippling the state
Food entrepreneurs need real freedom
Food entrepreneurs need real freedom
A story in the Pekin Daily Times reports that farm-market shoppers in Illinois will have more choices this year, thanks to a law Governor Quinn signed last August, the Local Food Entrepreneur and Cottage Food Operation Act. But the law might not be as beneficial as the its backers suggest — and Illinois and other governments can and should do...
Hanover Township earns A in government transparency audit
Hanover Township earns A in government transparency audit
With a score of 96.5 percent, the Hanover Township is the first township-level government entity in the state to earn an “A” grade in the Illinois Policy Institute’s Local Transparency Project. The Local Transparency Project grades governments on the availability to the public of vital community information, such as public meeting schedules, government employee salaries and...
What’s the deal with Thidwick?
What’s the deal with Thidwick?
As I wrap up my tenure as a Milton Friedman intern for the Illinois Policy Institute, I will take with me many great experiences. More importantly, I learned many skills that have without a doubt, prepared me for a career advocating for economic freedom in Illinois and the United States. All that will prove crucial...
The prison system is not a jobs program
The prison system is not a jobs program
On March 19, the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory (REAL) at the University of Illinois released an assessment of the economic impacts on local economies of proposed closures of four correctional and adult transition centers – Tamms, Dwight, Westside, and Peoria. The study, Impact of the Closure of Selected Department of Corrections Facilities, calculates the direct, indirect...
What are you paying for at the pump?
What are you paying for at the pump?
As Illinois motorists shell out more and more for the rising cost of gas, many people want to know: what am I paying for? In Illinois, especially in Chicago and Cook County, drivers may be surprised to find out that they’re paying significantly more in taxes on gas than drivers do in other states. At...
It’s working in Wisconsin: Gov. Walker signs ed reform legislation
It’s working in Wisconsin: Gov. Walker signs ed reform legislation
by Michael Wille Yesterday, Gov. Scott Walker signed the “Read to Lead” legislation into law aimed at improving education for Wisconsin students. Starting in Kindergarten, children will now be tested on literacy to set a benchmark of their skills and better understand what interventions are required to ensure reading capabilities are strengthened by third grade. In addition...
Why the CTBA is misrepresenting Adam Smith
Why the CTBA is misrepresenting Adam Smith
To advance its political agenda of imposing a progressive income tax on hard-working Illinoisans, the CTBA is misrepresenting Adam Smith in an attempt at legitimacy.
Institute in Northwest Herald: Lawmakers headed in right direction, but still have long way to go
Institute in Northwest Herald: Lawmakers headed in right direction, but still have long way to go
The Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was quoted in an editorial published by the Northwest Herald which evaluated the Governor's budget in comparison to Budget Solutions 2013, an annual alternative to the Governor's state budget.
Institute in Daily Herald: Illinois trial judges are the highest paid in the nation
Institute in Daily Herald: Illinois trial judges are the highest paid in the nation
The Daily Herald published an editorial that highlighted a recent story about Illinois trial judges being the highest in the nation. The story featured research and commentary from the Illinois Policy Institute.
Good News! Three bills pass the Illinois Senate
Good News! Three bills pass the Illinois Senate
Three important bills passed out of the Illinois Senate on Thursday and will now be considered by the House.Ai??My colleague Amanda outlined some bad news coming out of the House, but in the Senate the passage of three bills is good news for people committed to saving Illinois. Each bill would change the structure of...