To keep a family from homelessness, Illinoisans give
To keep a family from homelessness, Illinoisans give
The Goodwins’ cry for help was met with overwhelming kindness.
Wage difference: Illinois is a hub for white-collar jobs, but blue-collar workers are better off in Indiana
Wage difference: Illinois is a hub for white-collar jobs, but blue-collar workers are better off in Indiana
Recent federal jobs data show that white-collar professionals are more numerous and earn more money in Illinois than in Indiana, but that Indiana, a Right-to-Work state, has more and better-paying jobs for blue-collar workers than does Illinois, which has forced unionization.
Meet me halfway
Meet me halfway
AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules
AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules
Under the union’s complicated salary formulas, yearly government-worker raises are higher than the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees would lead Illinoisans to believe.
Edgar’s pension ramp
Edgar’s pension ramp
7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling
7 pension reforms that Illinois can still enact despite the SB1 ruling
Although the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that altering pension benefits of current government workers violates the Illinois Constitution, there are still actions – from politicians voluntarily reforming their own pension system, to allowing municipal bankruptcy – that Illinois can take to set government-worker pensions on a more fiscally sound path.
Quote of the day, November 6
Quote of the day, November 6
Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work
Fixing Illinois’ criminal-justice system means embracing sentencing reform, removing barriers to work
Alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders
Quote of the day, November 5
Quote of the day, November 5
Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015
Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015
October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.
Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen
Illinois taxes are not low when entire picture is seen
In her recent opinion piece, Innovation Illinois’ Elizabeth Austin misrepresented the facts in order to claim Illinoisans don’t pay high taxes: “My View: Illinois OK when right tax info is compared.” As the state budget battle wages on, it’s important for taxpayers to be armed with accurate information. Austin claimed that so far in the...
Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?
Coming up short: What if Illinois’ pension funds miss their investment targets?
Without real reforms, low investment yearly returns of 4 to 6 percent over the next 28 years could cost Illinois taxpayers anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion above what they’re already expected to pay in contributions.
Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture
Michigan curtails civil asset forfeiture
Under civil asset forfeiture laws in Illinois and across the country, law enforcement can seize property without proving it was involved in a crime. Illinois should follow Michigan’s lead and reform these unjust laws.
Quote of the day, November 1
Quote of the day, November 1