Corruption Watch
Corruption Watch
Headlines in June show why Chicago is considered one of the most corrupt cities in the world.
AFSCME stays silent regarding generous benefits, continues to demand $3B in pay raises, lavish perks
AFSCME stays silent regarding generous benefits, continues to demand $3B in pay raises, lavish perks
More than a year without a contract, the state’s largest government-worker union is requesting unreasonable and unaffordable perks, even though the governor has already offered several extravagant benefits.
Illinois one of few states still recovering from the Great Recession
Illinois one of few states still recovering from the Great Recession
Most states have far outstripped Illinois on the number of jobs recovered. And even worse, Illinois has also lagged in the quality of jobs recovered. Illinois was the 37th state to recover and match its pre-recession jobs count. But there are still 110,000 fewer Illinoisans working today than before the recession began.
Madigan’s budget surprise
Madigan’s budget surprise
Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
A principle once invoked to shake down speakeasies is now used to pick winners and losers in a city desperate for opportunity.
Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?
Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?
The stopgap budget passed by the General Assembly provides six months worth of funding for government services such as road construction, as well as a full K-12 education budget for the 2016-2017 school year, property-tax-raising authority for Chicago, and more state funding of pensions for Chicago Public Schools teachers.
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget
Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget
The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.
Gov. Rauner’s budget balancing act
Gov. Rauner’s budget balancing act
Illinoisans revolt against nation’s highest property taxes
Illinoisans revolt against nation’s highest property taxes
Illinoisans face the highest median property-tax rate in the nation.
Madigan’s CPS bailout
Madigan’s CPS bailout
5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout
5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout
Until CPS passes necessary spending and pension reforms, giving any additional money to the system will only reward officials’ mismanagement and reckless behavior.
Illinois gets $5.24 million windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Illinois gets $5.24 million windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Budget gridlock in Springfield caused the Illinois secretary of state’s office to suspend mailing vehicle-registration-renewal reminders in October 2015; as a result, the state took in $5.24 million more in fees for late license-plate renewal between January and June 21, 2016, than it did during the same period in 2015.
Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem
Illinois has a spending problem, not a revenue problem
Tax-hike proponents claim there’s no way to fix Illinois’ chronic budget problems without more money. They want Illinoisans to believe the state’s tax revenues simply aren’t enough to cover the cost of government. But tax revenues aren’t the real problem. Illinois’ perennial budget crises stem from the state’s persistent overspending and misplaced spending priorities. The...