Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks
Sears files for bankruptcy despite decades of Illinois tax breaks
Sears, a long-time beneficiary of Illinois tax credit programs, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation
Report: Illinois’ budget health is the worst in the nation
A new university study ranks Illinois last of all 50 states for fiscal health. Pension reform and spending caps are essential for recovery.
Red light Halloween costume
Red light Halloween costume
Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household
Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household
Christopher Stephens’ family ties landed him a position in local government – and an annual income far eclipsing that of local taxpayers.
Hellraiser: progressive tax
Hellraiser: progressive tax
Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax
Pritzker price tag: Candidate’s spending promises require doubling state income tax
While J.B. Pritzker has not released a detailed tax plan of his own, reasonable cost estimates suggest the tax hike required to pay for the candidate’s spending promises would require doubling Illinois’ state income tax rate and cost the state an estimated 132,000 jobs and $31.3 billion in forgone GDP.
Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts
Pension costs ravaging Rockford’s budget as leaders consider police and fire cuts
Rising pension costs in Illinois’ fifth-largest city are pushing Rockford near the edge of a fiscal cliff – a fate that officials are looking to reverse with a series of steep public service cuts.
Schaumburg village manager rakes in 318% more than area’s median households
Schaumburg village manager rakes in 318% more than area’s median households
The highest-earning government employee in at least five municipalities far outpaces what typical local taxpayers in those areas bring in.
Bloomington creates mandatory business registry, hikes 100 occupational fees
Bloomington creates mandatory business registry, hikes 100 occupational fees
Bloomington City Council approved an ordinance that creates a mandatory business registry with a $50 entrance fee, in addition to hiking 100 permit and licensing fees.
Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit
Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit
In an effort to close a $7.4 million shortfall, the city of Evanston’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes police and fire cuts along with a string of tax hikes – highlighting the need to trim government waste and push for structural reform in Springfield.
Who votes for Mike Madigan?
Who votes for Mike Madigan?
The speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives remains a key campaign issue despite national headlines.
Chicago red-light cameras capture more than $670M over last decade
Chicago red-light cameras capture more than $670M over last decade
While annual revenues have fallen amid camera removals and other changes, Chicago continues to cash in on red-light cameras.
Waste Watch: Nearly $100M of waste in Illinois state and local government
Waste Watch: Nearly $100M of waste in Illinois state and local government
Illinois taxpayers are fed up and overtaxed. Residents have little faith that their governments are spending their tax dollars well – and for good reason. The state’s most recent spending plan is out of balance by as much as $1.5 billion, and includes $54.2 million in wasteful spending and $27 million in pork-barrel spending. The...