Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan becomes latest Illinois neighbor to repeal prevailing wage mandate
Michigan nixed a law mandating inflated wages for public construction projects. The Prairie State should follow suit.
By Eddie Damstra
Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy
Illinois’ pension laws are forcing the city of Harvey to pay its creditors through short-term negotiated agreements just to meet payroll.
By Joe Tabor
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010
As Illinois struggles to address its people problem, population loss has plagued communities across the Land of Lincoln. But the shrinkage in some areas has been more severe than others.
By Vincent Caruso
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Coca-Cola distributor relocating facility, 143 jobs to Iowa from Rock Island
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plans to move its Rock Island facility to Walcott, Iowa, where the company is expected to receive substantial tax incentives.
By Eddie Damstra
For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?
For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?
A few brave souls have come forward with their stories about the behavior under Madigan’s dome. But how many still feel powerless?
By Austin Berg
General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative
General Assembly passes bill expanding medical marijuana access as opioid alternative
Lawmakers in Springfield are seeking to offer patients with debilitating conditions the option to replace opioids with medical marijuana.
By Eddie Damstra
McHenry County state’s attorney: Consolidate townships
McHenry County state’s attorney: Consolidate townships
An investigation into the office of a former township official concluded with no criminal charges. But the probe did find evidence that calls into question the merits of township governance.
Restrictions on pension spiking a win for Illinois taxpayers
Restrictions on pension spiking a win for Illinois taxpayers
Illinois’ fiscal year 2019 spending plan includes reforms to discourage some irresponsible spending by local governments.
By Adam Schuster
Madigan chief of staff resigns after sexual harassment allegations
Madigan chief of staff resigns after sexual harassment allegations
Tim Mapes has resigned from his posts in Madigan’s office and the Democratic Party of Illinois after a fellow staff member accused him of sexual harassment.
By Austin Berg
As city of Springfield sees taxes rise, its population falls
As city of Springfield sees taxes rise, its population falls
With pension debt straining city finances, local politicians have insisted on turning to its declining population for more tax revenue.
Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt
Rhode Island city offers dire warning to Illinois municipalities struggling with pension debt
Central Falls, Rhode Island, filed for bankruptcy largely because of pension debt. If Illinois municipalities can’t meet or lower their pension obligations, they too could face fiscal collapse.
By Joe Tabor
Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting
Taxpayers, reformers at a structural disadvantage in Illinois budgeting
Yes, the state has a budget. But how that budget came to be reveals the reasons our state continues to spend with abandon, tax too much and fail in fostering an economy where its people can prosper.
By John Tillman