States of Progress
States of Progress
Governors in Virginia and New Jersey tackle deficits without tax increases.
Transparecy and Teacher Layoffs
Transparecy and Teacher Layoffs
SouthTownStar looks into school district spending amid growing talks of layoffs.
Department of Commerce Grant Tracker
Department of Commerce Grant Tracker
New transparency tool from the Department of Commerce.
House Dem Memo: Don’t Talk About Health Care Costs
House Dem Memo: Don’t Talk About Health Care Costs
A Democratic health care memo is floating through the halls of Congress telling members to avoid talking about the bill's cost.
$27 Million to Collect Tolls
$27 Million to Collect Tolls
In 2008 toll collectors statewide were paid over $26 million dollars in wages.
Budget Solutions 2011 – The Impact on Education Spending
Budget Solutions 2011 – The Impact on Education Spending
A detailed explanation of some of the education spending choices made in Budget Solutions 2011.
Minimum Wage Laws Hurt the Young & Low-Skilled
Minimum Wage Laws Hurt the Young & Low-Skilled
Gov. Quinn should rethink his minimum wage position. Advocating for a higher minimum wage is a short-term political gimmick that does long-term detrimental harm to the people it pretends to help.
Kids Win. Taxpayers Win.
Kids Win. Taxpayers Win.
Tens of thousands of Chicago families are trapped in failing public schools. A new school voucher program has been proposed by the Reverend Senator James Meeks. Its goal is to give parents of students enrolled in the worst performing public schools the choice to send their children to private schools. Similar programs in other states...
Tell Me More – How to improve budget transparency
Tell Me More – How to improve budget transparency
Recommendations for improving how the State of Illinois presents its budget to residents.
Over $2 Million in Retirement Payments for Employees of Room 465
Over $2 Million in Retirement Payments for Employees of Room 465
The State paid over $2 Million in retirement payments to individuals in an agency titled ""Room 465.""
IDOT spends $10 Million for Land, Appraisal, Engineering & Testing Fees
IDOT spends $10 Million for Land, Appraisal, Engineering & Testing Fees
The Illinois Department of Transportation spent over $10 million for land, appraisal, engineering & testing fees for highways and aeronautics in 2009.
NJ Governor Warns Illinois Against Tax Hike
NJ Governor Warns Illinois Against Tax Hike
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's budget address warns Illinois against following New Jersey's ill-fated decision to hike income taxes.
$14 Million in Wages at the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
$14 Million in Wages at the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
In 2008 the Illinois Historic Preservation paid its 389 employees $14 million to help
Public Online Information Act
Public Online Information Act
by Kate Piercy Congressman Steve Israel (NY-02) has introduced transparency legislation called the Public Online Information Act (POIA) which, according to the Sunlight Foundation, “embraces a new formula for transparency: public equals online. No longer will antiquated government disclosure practices bury public information in out-of-the-way offices and in outmoded formats.” The legislation requires Executive Branch agencies to publish...