All across the country, from federal races to local races, the national mood and resulting election wave dominated and largely prevailed. In Illinois, that same wave only flowed for the federal races, not the General Assembly or governor’s race. Mark Kirk won President Obama’s Senate seat, and there were four GOP pickups in the House...
The Problem The World Shooting and Recreation Complex (WSRC) in Sparta, Illinois was completed in 2006 at a construction cost of $31.5 million (as well as another $18 million for road, water, and sewer improvement). The 1,600-acre facility includes 746 RV campsites, 120 trap shooting fields, and a 34,000 square foot events center. The state-funded...
by Dan Proft I do not think government functionaries should set private sector salaries or that U.S. policymakers should be adorned with the appellation properly reserved for Russian autocrats. But, if I did not believe in free markets and free minds, NBA Commissioner David Stern would be my choice for “Pay Czar.” Stern is in the...
by Amanda Griffin-Johnson The latest corruption scandal in Chicago, “Operation Crooked Code,” has resulted in the convictions of 21 people. Of the individuals convicted, 15 were city building and zoning inspectors. If you’ve never heard of the Crooked Code scandal, you are not alone. The Chicago Sun-Times explains: Despite those successful cases, Crooked Code hasn’t been as high-profile...
by Wesley Fox The Chicago Football Classic Inc. received a $100,000 grant to assist in hosting the Chicago Football Classic. According to the DCEO website the game “will feature Mississippi Valley State versus Southern University.” Southern University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mississippi Valley State is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. The grant was part of...
by Collin Hitt The UK is considering a new policy modeled after charter schools in America. Called “free schools,” the proposal has been endorsed by Arne Duncan in advance of his visit to the country this week. A story in today’s London Telegraph framed the issue well, and quoted yours truly: For Mr Gove, the...
The Problem With its resources, location, expansive farmland, and first-class towns and cities, Illinois should be a leading economic powerhouse in the United States. Unfortunately, thanks to an unfriendly business and regulatory climate, Illinois has been underperforming for years. “Rich States, Poor States,” a comprehensive economic performance index authored by Steve Moore, Art Laffer, and...
by Collin Hitt The Illinois State Board of Education has announced that it will release school report cards today, showing whether schools are doing better or worse at meeting state and federal academic standards. The decision to release information on a Friday afternoon heading into a weekend when everyone is going to be focused on...
by Kristina Rasmussen Americans for Tax Reform just released its 2010 Illinois list of Tax Pledge signers: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) released an updated list of incumbents and challengers in Illinois who have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. These candidates have made a written commitment to their constituents to never raise their...
by Amanda Griffin-Johnson The state budget crisis has created mounting problems for the state government, from state credit ratings plummeting to vendors refusing state orders because of late payments. But this hasn’t stopped the spending. Earlier this month, Governor Quinn granted $50 million of new spending for job training projects, even though hospitals, schools, and non-profits are still waiting for...
by Wesley Fox Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico announced today he would take a 20% cut in pay and would force thousands of other city employees to do the same if elected mayor. He would also ask the city’s 50 Aldermen to take a pay cut as well and work to reduce the number of standing City Council...
by Amanda Griffin-Johnson Earlier this year, SB 3012 was signed into law and created a pilot project mandating that election authorities provide early voting sites on public university campuses in their jurisdiction. The project is only for the 2010 general election, but some county clerks have voiced their opposition to the mandate citing the high costs for small...
by Lee Williams Download a formatted version of this report, complete with a table of the Pittman-Robertson Act contracts awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, here. SPRINGFIELD, IL.—The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is misappropriating millions of dollars that should have been earmarked for the state’s sportsmen. The Pittman-Robertson Act, an 11-percent federal tax on...
by Ashley Muchow Check out Chris Britt’s cartoon in the State-Journal Register. We bloggedyesterday on the absurdity of the union blacklash against volunteers participating in zoo “clean up” day.